> At a Glance
> – A Connecticut child accidentally called 911 while playing with a phone, thinking it was a toy.
> – The child, named Lilly, wrote a handwritten apology to the New Haven Police Department.
> – The department responded online, reassuring Lilly that “things happen.”
> – Why it matters: The story highlights the importance of teaching children about emergency services and the impact of small mistakes.
A simple mistake turned into a heartwarming lesson when a Connecticut child accidentally called 911 while playing with a phone, thinking it was a toy. The child, named Lilly, wrote a handwritten apology to the New Haven Police Department, which the department shared online.
The Apology
Lilly’s letter, written in magenta marker on white paper, read: “Sorry for calling 9-1-1. I [thought] it was a play phone. I won’t do it again.” The New Haven Police Department shared the letter online, responding with reassurance: “Lilly, we got your letter. It’s ok. Things happen.”
Public Reaction
The department’s post sparked comments from adults recalling their own childhood 911 calls:
- One person called 911 at age 4 when their fan wouldn’t turn on, only to discover it wasn’t plugged in.
- Another called 911 when their dad worked late and they didn’t know where he was.
- A commenter praised Lilly for knowing how to reach heroes and thanked her parents for teaching her to follow up on mistakes.
Key Takeaways
- Small mistakes can lead to big lessons.
- Emergency services are for real emergencies, not play.
- Teaching children about 911 is important.
- The New Haven Police Department’s response reassured Lilly and the public.
