A 99-year-old woman who was allegedly beaten during a home invasion in Milwaukee was left waiting for nearly three hours after emergency calls for help, her attorney has said, as he raised the possibility of legal action over the handling of the incident.
The woman, identified only as Shirley, was attacked at her home on Milwaukee’s south side on July 27. Her lawyers said she suffered facial fractures, severe lacerations, extensive bruising and required more than 100 stitches.
Police have charged 23-year-old Joseph Macias with battery to an elderly person, first-degree reckless injury and burglary. He has pleaded not guilty and is undergoing a medical evaluation after his defence indicated it may pursue a plea of not guilty by reason of insanity.
According to court records, a medical-alert company contacted Milwaukee’s Department of Emergency Communications after hearing a man threaten Shirley. A second call reportedly connected an operator to live audio from inside the house, where the woman could be heard in distress.
Despite the reports, officers and paramedics were not dispatched immediately. Shirley later called 911 herself at about 7.50am, telling the operator she had been attacked and had crawled across the floor to reach a telephone.
Police arrived at the property near South 14th Street and West Cudahy Avenue at about 8am, court filings state. Officers found Macias inside and Shirley covered in blood, with her eyes swollen shut and injuries to her arms.
Chris MacGillis, representing Shirley, said his client had previously been fiercely independent and was now undergoing rehabilitation to regain mobility. He said she had been forced to crawl through her home to save herself.
“That is unacceptable,” Mr MacGillis said, calling for a full explanation of why help was not sent after the first two calls. He said a lawsuit had not been filed, but that legal action remained under consideration.
Two employees of the Department of Emergency Communications have since resigned or separated from the department. City officials have acknowledged that the calls should have prompted a faster response and said staff were receiving additional training.
Macias remains in custody on a $150,000 bond. The case has prompted an internal investigation into the delayed response, while Shirley continues her recovery.
