Child calls 911 over 120 times in Guelph

Guelph police received 129 calls to the emergency service line on Sunday.

Police in Guelph, Ont., are asking residents to reconsider letting their children play with old cellphones, after 911 was called more than 120 times on Sunday.

Police say the same phone called the emergency number at least 129 times between 4:40 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.

When many of the calls were answered, police communicators could hear a child but were not able to get anyone’s attention.

Officers checked several addresses trying to locate the phone based on GPS data received, but the phone was not located and no emergency was found.

Guelph police are reminding the public that any functioning mobile device can call 911, even if it’s not connected to a service plan or its SIM card has been removed.

In those cases, the approximate location is typically less accurate than it would be from a phone connected to a cellular network.

Police say incoming calls can be confirmed they come from the same number but cannot be called back.

To avoid similar situations in the future, police are asking people to consider removing the battery or allowing the phone to drain completely before it is given to a child.

Anyone who accidentally calls 911 is encouraged to stay on the line and speak with a communicator to confirm you are not having an emergency.