CAMDENTON, Mo. – The Camden County Sheriff’s Office has formally disputed a lawsuit that alleges emergency responders were delayed by roughly 45 minutes before reaching 6‑year‑old Elijah Young, who died on Nov. 16, 2021. In a statement released on Nov. 13, the sheriff’s office emphasized that its dispatch logs do not corroborate the plaintiff’s claim.
Dispatch records show rapid call handling
According to the office, the initial 911 call was a brief hang‑up at about 4:30 p.m. that triggered two unanswered callback attempts. A second call, placed shortly thereafter, provided clear information that an ambulance was needed near Eldridge. The sheriff’s dispatchers relayed this information to Laclede County at approximately 4:37 p.m. and transferred the incident to Laclede County’s emergency system at 4:39 p.m., indicating that the appropriate agency for the location was believed to be Laclede County at that time.
Later, Laclede County dispatch clarified that the incident actually fell within Dallas County jurisdiction, prompting a redirection of emergency‑response responsibilities to Dallas County. The sheriff’s office notes that this jurisdictional clarification occurred promptly after the initial transfer.
No evidence of misclassification or intentional delay
The lawsuit alleges that the 911 call was improperly classified, leading to a 45‑minute lag in medical assistance. The sheriff’s office counters that its records show no indication the call was labeled as a domestic assault, nor is there any evidence that prior calls from the same address caused a deliberate postponement of medical aid.
“Our dispatch logs demonstrate that the call was handled in a timely manner and transferred to the appropriate county as soon as the location was confirmed,” the statement read. “There is no factual basis for the claim that responders were delayed for 45 minutes.”
Office expresses sympathy
While contesting the allegations, the Camden County Sheriff’s Office extended its condolences to the Young family, acknowledging the tragedy of Elijah’s death.
The office’s response underscores the importance of accurate record‑keeping and transparent communication in emergency‑services operations. By placing the dispatch timeline front and center, the sheriff’s department aims to clarify the sequence of events and address community concerns about public‑safety responsiveness.
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Original reporting: KY3 Springfield (local) — read the source article.
