Would You Turn in Your Parent?

Oct. 31, 2007 — -- In two recent high-profile incidents, frantic children have dialed 911 for help while trapped in a car with a drunken parent behind the wheel.

In these cases of extreme role reversal, the act of turning in a parent to police may have critical effects on a child.

"You can only imagine the fear that a youngster has to make a phone call of that nature," said psychologist Harry Stratyner at Caron Treatment Centers in New York City. "It takes a great deal of courage."

Such courage was displayed Oct. 27, when a teenage girl called 911 to report that her father, Robert Montoya, was racing down a New Mexico road and allegedly was drunk. The call captured just how terrified the girl, her sister and friend, who also were in the car, were during the incident.

"Dad, you don't need to be driving drunk," she screamed on the call. "Slow down. You're going 90. Slow down. Dad, pull over!"

Meanwhile the operator tried to help.

Operator: Tell him to pull over.
Girl: I'm trying to. He's going like 100 right now.
Operator: He's going 100? Are you guys belted in?
Girl: Yes.
Operator: OK. Make sure you have your seat belts on.

The ride finally ended when police chased down Montoya's car. Authorities said Montoya had five previous DWI arrests.

In a highly publicized incident Oct. 20, an 8-year-old boy in Vancouver, Wash., called 911 from his mother's speeding car.

"I don't know what's going on with her," he told the operator. "She had some drinks at a restaurant and I think those are affecting her. I don't think she knows what's going on."

The boy gave authorities a description of the vehicle, and police eventually pulled over his mother, Paulette Lynn Spears, 33, and arrested her.

Stratyner said along with the fear associated with such incidents comes the stress of having to turn on a parent. But, he added, most of the time — after seeking treatment — the parents eventually thank their child for helping to save their lives.