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Initial 911 Call Never Reached Police

December 13th, 2013 by WCBC Radio

The Cumberland Times News reports a neighbor’s report of “loud banging” and “screaming” at 27 Browning St. the night of Sept. 5 made it to the Allegany County 911 center — but not to the Cumberland Police Department that routinely handles such calls. Police were requested by the 911 caller to be sent to the South Cumberland home “for a loud banging” noise before the caller finally told the 911 dispatcher to “forget it now” and not to send police. As a result, Cumberland Police were not made aware of the call and, consequently, did not send an officer — as the department routinely does even if callers indicate there is no longer a need for a law enforcement response. There was one cell phone call to the 911 center concerning the domestic violence complaint at 27 Browning where Stephen Schleuniger, by his confession, took the life of 43-year-old Lisa Ann Simmons, that very night and wrapped her body in a carpet before placing it in the basement of the residence. He admitted to stomping her and then using a dog leash to strangle her after she returned home from work.

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