Officers’ Quick Actions, Saved Two Lives

Van Nuys – On Thursday, October 19, 2000, at approximately 12:00 PM, uniformed officers from Van Nuys Area responded to a radio call " Screaming Woman, Possibly Suicidal" radio call, in the 14000 block of Vanowen Street.

When officers arrived they heard the voice of a woman pleading for someone not to jump out the window. The officers sensed the urgency of the situation and forced entry into the apartment and saw an older woman begging a female Hispanic, approximately 18 years old, who was holding a two year old girl and about to jump out of the two story window.

The officers rushed and grabbed the woman and the girl just in time to prevent the woman from jumping.

The investigation revealed the older woman was the mother of the 18 year-old female and the grandmother of the two-year old girl. The 18 year-old was transported to a local hospital and is being held for psychiatric observation. The two-year old girl was not harmed. She is being held in protective custody by the Department of Children Services.

This press release was prepared by Officer Eduardo Funes, Media Relations Section, 213-485-3586.

For Release 10:00 am PDT
October 20, 2000