Spring Lake Township, MI – In a tragic unfolding of events in December 2019, a man lost his life to a violent attack by his mentally ill son, who had ceased his medication and previously placed a distress call about feeling unsafe. This incident has prompted a federal lawsuit claiming negligence on the part of the local dispatch authority for not sending immediate help.
James Boone had contacted emergency services, expressing concern about his son’s erratic and threatening behavior. Despite his pleas for quick assistance, help arrived only after his son, Kenneth Boone, called back to report he had fatally attacked his father. This delay has stirred agony and contention among Boone’s family and community members.
At the scene, Ottawa County sheriff’s deputies discovered Kenneth bloodied and clutching a hammer near his father’s residence. He later pleaded guilty but mentally ill to first-degree murder and received a life sentence without parole. Kenneth passed away in prison due to a medical issue at the age of 28.
The family’s lawsuit argues that the Ottawa County Central Dispatch Authority and its staff imperiled James Boone’s life by not prioritizing his son’s initial distress call. U.S. District Judge Paul Maloney of Kalamazoo, however, dismissed the federal claims, stating the Constitution does not mandate the government to protect individuals from private violence. Still, the case holds ground under state law and will continue in Ottawa County courts.
James Boone’s attorney, David Shafer, expressed intent to challenge the federal decision in the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals and pursue state claims of gross negligence and wrongful death in front of an Ottawa County jury. He voiced optimism about the community’s response, highlighting a supposed lapse in accountability by the dispatch authority.
Central Dispatch had coded the initial 911 call as a disturbance, but unresolved prioritization issues delayed the response. Sheriff’s deputies nearby were occupied with other emergencies at the time. Peter McWatters, executive director of the Ottawa County Dispatch Authority, later conceded that the call was misclassified and should have been given higher priority.
Following an internal review prompted by then-Sheriff Steve Kempker, who was concerned about the delayed response, the dispatch involved was reprimanded, and procedural corrections were adopted.
This tragedy sheds light on the challenges and criticality of decision-making in emergency response systems, emphasizing the need for accurate assessment and swift action in crises involving mental health issues.
This article was automatically written by OpenAI. The people, facts, circumstances, and story presented may contain inaccuracies. For corrections, retractions, or queries, please contact contact@publiclawlibrary.org.