NEWS
Local Radio Morning Show Hoax Stirs Controversy
Matt de Nesnera
A caller on Island 106's "That Guy" Kramer morning show admitted to leaving her eleven-month old baby girl alone while she ran errands or went to dinner.
"Allison" said, "I set her up with the home phone, and put it in her bed. I call it from my cell phone, keep my Bluetooth in my ear the whole time."
The hosts must have been expecting some controversy over the call, given the way they prefaced the segment. Steve Kramer said, "Part of this could come off as illegal. So, don't be calling me. I don't even know her real name, to be honest with you, I don't know. Police, don't call me."
But, authorities did. Bay County Sheriff's officials say they received calls from concerned listeners. Investigators stopped by the Island 106 studios to try to learn "Allison's" real name.
Capt. Jimmy Stanford said, "Once we explained to them the critical nature of this incident, they were more forthcoming and that's when we learned that this was a 'bit' made up."
Stanford says radio employees admitted a disc-jockey from out of state made the hoax call. But, for many listeners, it seemed real.
Caller Louretta said, "Leaving a baby home alone at eleven months old is against the law." Caller Erin said, "When you have a child, you give up your right to a life."
The segment sparked conversation amongst the hosts, too. Co-host Miguel Fuller said, "As a single parent, there are things that you have to do that you don't like to that sometimes aren't the wisest things, but how else are you supposed to get that stuff done?"
Co-host Holly O'Connor said, "I don't think it comes down to this is something that, this isn't the wisest thing. This is a bad thing!"
But, authorities say there is no room for debate. Leaving an infant alone is not only unlawful, but extremely dangerous; they say anybody who does it will be arrested.
Sheriff's officials say they don't expect to press charges in this incident. Representatives from Island 106 did not return our calls.
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