Late-Night Disturbance at Columbus Regional Healthcare Leads to 911 Misuse Charge

Whiteville NC – Emergency dispatch lines are a critical lifeline for the community, and local law enforcement is cracking down on those who tie up these essential resources. Just after midnight on July 29, at 12:33 a.m., deputies were dispatched to Columbus Regional Healthcare at 500 Jefferson Street in Whiteville.

Following an investigation at the hospital, 39-year-old Whitney Harwood of Whiteville was arrested and charged with misuse of the 911 system. Harwood was subsequently booked into the county jail under a $1,500 secured bond. Officials remind the public that non-emergency disturbances at critical care facilities not only disrupt patient care but can delay first responders from answering legitimate life-or-death calls.

All individuals listed are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
Charges and case statuses may change as investigations and court proceedings continue.