(mouse clicking) (numbers beeping) (phone ringing) - [Operator] 911, what's the location of your emergency? - [Man] I'm not sure exactly what the emergency is exactly, but I think that somebody has been taken without their... They don't wanna be where they need to be- - [Operator] Uh huh. - [Man] And they're in a '95 green Camaro in North Port somewhere. - [Operator] Okay, and how do you know this? - [Man] I know. - [Operator] Is he gonna hurt the girl? - [Man] Have no idea. - [Operator] you saw them though? - [Man] Yeah. - [Operator] And where was she? - [Man] Car. - [Operator] In the car? Was she okay? - [Man] Well, it didn't look like she wanted to be there. (dramatic music) (mellow music) ♪ Take me back to a place where I felt at home ♪ ♪ Take me back to a day when we weren't alone ♪ ♪ Take me back to an age when the world felt small ♪ ♪ Way back before we blew it all ♪ ♪ Take me back to a place where I felt at home ♪ ♪ Take me back to a day when we weren't alone ♪ ♪ Take me back to an age when ♪ - [Narrator] 21 Year old Denise Amber Lee was born in Englewood, Florida, on August 6th, 1986 to Rick and Sue Goff. Her father, Rick, was a Charlotte County Sheriff's Office Sergeant for 25 years. Denise graduated from Lemon Bay High School in 2004. She then enrolled at a local community college where she met 23 year old Nathan Lee. They started dating and he soon bought her an inexpensive heart shaped ring. However, that ring was priceless to Denise as she never removed it from her finger once it was on. The couple married in 2005, and started a family. They had two sons, ages six months and two years. Denise was considered by friends and relatives to be quiet and shy and wouldn't go out much as her babies came first. Denise and Nathan rented a home in North Port, but had plans to put away money to purchase their own home. Nathan was the family's sole wage earner and worked three jobs so Denise could stay home and raise the kids. Nathan's main job was as a meter reader for the Florida Power and Light Company. He also stocked shelves at Winn-Dixie on occasion and during the summer, he would umpire Little League games for extra money. By all accounts, the Lees loved each other unconditionally and were working together to build a life of their dreams. 38 year old Michael King was described by his family as a fairly typical youth, that is until he was six years old, when he sustained a head injury in a sledding accident. An expert witness at trial later said, "The injury was a divot in his brain." The injury was so severe, King required special education services after. As for court records, his siblings reported that his behavior changed significantly after that incident. For example, relatives said that at the age of 13, he nearly killed his brother with a bow and arrow while acting out a cartoon. When King was 17, after watching the "Texas Chainsaw Massacre," he chased family members with a chainsaw while his face was expressionless. Despite this history, Michael King seemed to have no problems functioning as an adult. He was once a respected community member. He became a skilled and successful plumber, was married, had a son, and the family owned their own home. People testified on his behalf that he always tried to lead an honest life and had no history of violence or a criminal record. However, according to his sister-in-law, he had fallen out with his wife. Eventually, she left him for another man she met on the internet. After that, things went from bad to worse as he was under severe financial duress, unemployed for a prolonged period and facing bankruptcy and foreclosure. Then in December, 2007, there was a breakup with another girlfriend. Weeks later, a broke and possibly resentful Michael King entered his dark green Camaro and drove up and down the streets of North Port until he saw something that interested him. There was one house in particular he was circling again and again. The house was occupied by the Lee family. It was a sunny and seasonably mild 66 degrees with a gentle breeze in North Port, Florida, on the morning of January 17th, 2008. Nathan and Denise had agreed to leave Windows open instead of using air conditioning as another way to cut back on bills. At around 11:00 AM Denise took a call from Nathan and they had a routine conversation. That chat ended as usual with the couple saying to each other, "I love you." A couple of hours later, Denise's neighbor noticed a green Camaro driving around the block. It seemed out of place and must have circled four or five times between one and 2:00 PM. Out of curiosity, the neighbor stepped outside and made eye contact with the driver. When the Camaro pulled into the Lee's driveway, she assumed he had found the house he was looking for, so she returned to her home. The neighbor stepped outside again 10 or 15 minutes later to observe the Camaro departing from the Lee's home. At 3:30 in the afternoon, Nathan Lee returned home from work to find Denise was not around. Oddly, her cell phone, purse and keys, were all still in the house. He called out her name, but there was no answer. He then walked to the kids' room and found both kids home alone. Her clothes were laid out as if she was getting ready to shower and the windows were closed, but the air conditioning was off. Nathan immediately contacted Denise's mother, but she hadn't heard from Denise either. His next call was to the North Port Police Department. - [Operator] North Port Emergency. - [Nathan] Yes, I'm at 7912 Latour Avenue. I just got home from work and my wife, I can't find her. My kids were in the house and I don't know where she is. I've looked every single place. - [Narrator] Upon learning of the 911 call, Denise's father acted immediately. As a 25-year Charlotte County Sheriff's Office veteran, this matter was taken especially seriously. At 4:00 PM Detective Chris Morales was sent to the Lee residence and found no signs of forced entry or a struggle. Rick was able to call on all area state, county, and municipal law enforcement agencies to search for Denise and her captor immediately following her abduction. It would become one of the most extensive cooperative search efforts the area has ever seen. It involved hundreds of police, volunteers, rescue teams, patrol cars, helicopters, horses, canines, and ATVs. Meanwhile, at 3:30 PM the Charlotte County Sheriff's Office sent its teletype operator home to avoid paying overtime. A teletype machine is now obsolete equipment used by law enforcement to send and receive urgent typed messages such as a BOLO. With the teletype operator sent home, it was up to the dispatchers to monitor the teletype machine for important messages. This is a critical point that will become relevant a bit later. At 4:59 PM the North Port Police Department sends its first BOLO over the teletype machine. The message describes a green Camaro and gives a description of the suspect, it also includes Denise's name, age, and hair color. However, the message sat on the machine as the usual teletype operator had been sent home. According to testimony, sometime between 5:30 and 6:00 PM Michael King unexpectedly stopped by his cousin, Harold Muxlow's house, and made a strange request. He asked to borrow a flashlight, a gas can, and a shovel. He claimed that his lawnmower was stuck in his front yard. After Muxlow provided the items, King immediately departed. As Muxlow was walking back to his house, he heard a female voice from King's Green Camaro cry out, "Call the cops." Muxlow turned around and approached the driveway toward King, asking what that was all about. King replied, "Nothing, don't worry about it." As Muxlow walked to his house, he approached King's car a second time. That's when he saw King reaching over the front console and pushing down a person's head. King then returned to the driver's seat and drove off. Muxlow was concerned. He drove to King's residence to see if King had returned and if in fact there was a stuck lawn mower in the yard. When Muxlow reached the house, there was no lawn mower and no Camaro. He called his daughter Sabrina and told her what had happened. It was 6:00 PM when Sabrina called the police. Sabrina Muxlow told the dispatcher precisely what her father told her. She said her cousin Michael had a girl tied up in the car's back seat and that the girl screamed, "Call the cops." The dispatcher relayed the information to detectives as the search for Denise continued. At 6:14 PM the North Port Police Department received a third 911 call, this time it was from Denise. Restrained in the backseat of a car, and with her eyes covered, she somehow managed to use King's cell phone to call 911 as he drove. She provided information to the call taker while leading King into thinking she was talking to him. (phone ringing) - [Operator] 911. - [Denise Lee] I'm so sorry, I'm sorry, I just want to go. - [Operator] Hello? - [Denise Lee] I'm sorry, I'm sorry. I just wanna see my family (crying). - [Operator] Hello? - [Denise Lee] I just want to see my family again please. - [Operator] Hello? Hello? - [Denise Lee] I just wanna see my family again, let me go. - Hello? - [Michael King] Where is the fucking phone. - [Denise Lee] Please let me go. Please let me go. Please let me see my family again. - [Michael King] No fucking problem. - [Denise Lee] Okay. - [Operator] Hello? (indistinct) - [Denise Lee] I'm sorry. - [Michael King] I was gonna let you go and then you go fucking around. - [Denise Lee] I'm sorry, please let me go. - Where's my phone? - Hello? - [Michael King] Now I've got to go to the next street because of him. - [Denise Lee] I'm sorry. Please let me go. - [Michael King] What are you doing? (indistinct) - [Denise Lee] Please let me go, please. Oh, God, please. - [Michael King] (indistinct) In front of my cousin Harold. - [Operator] Hello? - [Denise Lee] Please let me go, God please. - [Michael King] I told you I would. - [Operator] Hello? - [Denise Lee] Help me. - What's the address? Please help me. - [Operator] What's the address that you're at? - [Denise Lee] (crying) Oh my God. (indistinct) Coming off the North Port Tower. - [Denise Lee] Please, (indistinct). - [Operator] What is the address that you're at? Hello ma'am? - [Denise Lee] Where are we going? - [Michael King] I've got to go up and around now because of what you did. - [Denise Lee] Up and around where? (indistinct) - [Michael King] Didn't you see (indistinct). Exactly four streets, well five streets over from your house. - [Denise Lee] I couldn't tell (indistinct). - [Operator] What's your name, ma'am? Hello? What's your name? - Please. - [Denise Lee] My name is Denise. I'm married to a beautiful husband, and I just wanna see my kids again. - [Operator] Your name's Denise? - [Denise Lee] Yes. I'm sorry. (indistinct) - [Operator] I'm thinking too, that he doesn't know. - [Denise Lee] Please, God. Please protect me. - [Operator] Are you on I-75? - [Denise Lee] (crying) Where are we? - [Michael King] What did you do with my cell phone? - [Denise Lee] I don't know. Please, protect me, please. - [Operator] Where are you at? Can you tell if you're on I-75? - [Denise Lee] I don't know where your phone is. I'm sorry. - [Michael King] Are you being honest with me? - [Denise Lee] Can't you just tell me where we are? - [Operator] Are you blindfolded? If you are, press the button. - [Denise Lee] I don't have your phone. (indistinct) Please, God. (indistinct) I don't have it. I'm sorry. - [Operator] Do you know this guy? - [Michael King] Be honest. - [Denise Lee] I don't. I don't have it. I'm sorry. - [Operator] Denise, do you know this guy? She might have the phone laid down and not hear a thing I'm saying too. He keeps saying "a phone." - [Denise Lee] I don't know where it is. Maybe if I could see I could help you find it. (indistinct). No, sir. - [Operator] Denise? - [Denise Lee] I'm looking for it. Uh-huh? - [Operator] Hello? How long have you been gone from your house? - [Denise Lee] I don't know. - [Operator] How long? - [Denise Lee] I don't know. - [Operator] Do you know how long you've been gone from your house? (indistinct). What's your last name? - [Denise Lee] Lee. - [Operator] Lee? - [Denise Lee] Yeah. - [Operator] Do you know- - [Denise Lee] I don't know where your phone is. - [Operator] Your name is Denise Lee? - [Denise Lee] Uh-huh (crying). - [Operator] Can you tell at all what street you're on? - [Denise Lee] No. - [Operator] Do you know this guy that's with you? - [Denise Lee] No. - [Operator] You don't know him from anywhere? - [Denise Lee] No. Please. Oh, God, help me. - [Operator] What's your address? What's your home address, do you know? (indistinct). - [Denise Lee] I don't know. Please just take me to my house. Can you take me home, on Latour, please? - [Operator] Can you see or do you have a blindfold on? - [Denise Lee] I can't see. Where are we? (indistinct) - [Operator] Can they turn off the radio or turn it down? - [Denise Lee] I can't hear you. It's too loud. (indistinct) Where are we? Are you gonna hurt me? - [Michael King] Give me the phone. - [Denise Lee] Are you gonna let me out now? - [Michael King] As soon as I get the phone. - [Denise Lee] Help me. - [Narrator] The call abruptly ends with Michael King looking for his phone. Meanwhile, Denise's father was at the sheriff's office during her desperate call and confirmed it was his daughter. The phone Denise used was traced back to Michael King and law enforcement rushed to King's house in North Port to forcibly gain entry. Unfortunately, no one was on the premises. Minutes after Denise's phone call, a woman named Jane Kowalski, was stopped at a traffic light on Highway 41. Suddenly she heard screaming and a commotion coming from a dark colored Camaro in the lane next to her. She described the screaming as, "Horrific, terrified. I've never heard anything like that in my life." As she watched, the man driving the Camaro turned around and began to push something down in the backseat. Then Kowalski saw a hand rise from the backseat and start pounding on the passenger side window. When the traffic light turned green, Kowalski hesitated to allow the Camaro to go first, hoping she could see his plates. However, King remained idle. And when Kowalski began to slowly roll forward, he quickly changed lanes and pulled behind her. When Kowalski realized he would not pass her, she dialed 911. - [Operator] 911, where's your emergency? - [Jane Kowalski] Well, I'm on 41 going South. And I'm on (indistinct) cross street right now. I'm on Chamberlain, I just crossed Chamberlain. I'm on 41 going south, and I was at a stoplight and a man pulled up next to me and there was a child screaming in the car about a- - [Operator] What kinda vehicle was he in? - [Jane Kowalski] It's a blue Camaro, like Camaro, like in the 90s or early 2000s or something. - [Operator] Okay, it was a baby, or- - [Jane Kowalski] No, it was a child. - [Operator] It about how old? - [Jane Kowalski] I don't... You know what? It's dark, and I turned to look at him, and he's a white male, sort of light-colored hair, sort of plump. He's behind me now, and I tried to slow down so he could pass me and I could read his license plate. - [Operator] Okay ma'am, don't hang up. Okay ma'am? - [Jane Kowalski] I'm not. Okay. - [Operator] Okay, where are you now? 41 South? - [Jane Kowalski] Okay, I'm gonna pass a cross street. And I believe he's still behind me. I'm at Jenks Drive. I'm just crossing it. I'm going very slow, like on 45 miles an hour on 41. - [Operator] And he's behind you? - [Jane Kowalski] I believe he's still behind me. He has not passed me and he's going slower than I am, which is not right ' cause we're holding up traffic and stuff. But I think that he saw me look at him and I'm not trying to be overdramatic here, but he's going even slower now and- - [Operator] Is he pulling over? - [Jane Kowalski] No, something's going on because he's even going even slower now. But he's right behind me. And I dunno if the (indistinct)- - [Operator] (indistinct) Your name? - [Jane Kowalski] Okay, my name's Jane. Okay, he's pulling over to the other lane now. Jane Kowalski, K-O-W-A-L-S-K-I. - [Operator] And gimme your number in case I lose you. - [Jane Kowalski] 813-205... Okay, he's gonna turn- - O- 205, oh shit. He's gonna turn left on Toledo Blade. He's turning left right now. - Okay- And I'm in the other lane. - [Operator] You're going south and he's turning west on Toledo. - [Jane Kowalski] Right, and it's like a blue, I wanna say like a Camaro type of car. White male, and there's a kid in the back seat and they kept banging on the window. - [Operator] Went left on Toledo Blade. About how old is this child? Can you tell? - [Jane Kowalski] I did see the child, I'd say less than 10. Definitely not an infant old enough to bang on the window. - [Operator] Okay. Seven to 10. - [Jane Kowalski] I don't know, five to 10. Okay. Now it's green and and the green arrows. And he's going now- - [Operator] He's turning left on Toledo Blade? - [Jane Kowalski] Yeah. Do you want me to turn try to follow him or? - [Operator] Okay. Does he want her to follow him? Okay, can you turn? - [Jane Kowalski] Oh, he just turned on Toledo Blade. I don't know if I can catch, there's bunch of traffic and I can't get over, oh boy. - [Operator] There's a child in the car someplace between five and 10. And it was banging on the window- - [Jane Kowalski] And screaming. - And crying. And screaming. - Okay. Like screaming screaming. Not a happy scream, like, "Get me outta here" scream. - Operator] Left on Toledo Blade. And you said it's a blue Camaro? - [Jane Kowalski] Blue or black, very dark. He's a white male. And I wanna say sort of light colored hair. It maybe a little full face, I don't think obese, but I'm way past him now for me to go catch him. I dunno I'd be able to go back. I mean, I would never stop him, I'm not gonna put myself at risk. - [Operator] Okay, and I've got your phone, 813-20- - [Jane Kowalski] Hundred. - [Operator] Hundred. And your first name again? - [Jane Kowalski] It's Jane Kowalski, K-O-W-A-L-S-K-I. I mean, I hope they weren't just playing around. But to me, it sounded like the kid was- - Operator] Okay. - [Jane Kowalski] (indistinct) And panicky, and I don't know. But instead of taking a chance, I just wanted to make sure I called it in. I'd feel terrible if something was ever- - [Operator] Okay, well, I'm very glad you did, ma'am. That's exactly what you should do. Okay, well you lost him and thank you now and we really appreciate you calling us. - [Jane Kowalski] Okay, can someone follow up with me? I mean or- - Wait, hold on ma'am. - [Jane Kowalski] Okay. - [Operator] What? - [Narrator] Kowalski initially thought she had reached the North Port Police Department, but because she drove past the county line, her call was routed to the Charlotte County 911 Center. Due to the earlier missed BOLO, the Charlotte County 911 Center was unaware of the latest developments. Consequently, no car was ever dispatched to the location provided by Kowalski. It was from a TV news report the following day that Kowalski learned she had witnessed Denise's abduction. When she called the North Port Police Department to explain that she had made a 911 call, they didn't know what she was talking about. A subsequent internal affairs investigation determined that the Charlotte County dispatcher, who took Kowalski's call, did not immediately enter the information into the computer-aided dispatch system as dispatchers are trained to do. Instead, she wrote the information down on a piece of paper and yelled it across the room. She then assumed it would be handled. Moments later there was a shift change. Unfortunately, the log passed to the new shift workers did not include any of the three BOLOs issued by the North Port Police Department over the teletype system. At 6:50 PM Michael King's cousin Harold Muxlow walked over to a 7-Eleven convenience store to use a payphone. He made the fifth and final 911 call of the day relating to the abduction. (numbers beeping) (phone ringing) - [Operator] 911, what's the location of your emergency? - [Harold Muxlow] Um, I'm not sure exactly what the emergency is exactly. But I think there's somebody has been taken without their, ugh They don't wanna be where they need to be. - [Operator] Uh huh. - [Harold Muxlow] And they're in a '95 green Camaro in North Port somewhere. - [Operator] Okay. And how do you know this? - [Harold Muxlow] I know. - [Operator] Is he gonna hurt the girl? - [Harold Muxlow] Have no idea. - [Operator] You saw them though? - [Harold Muxlow] Yes. - [Operator] And where was she? - [Harold Muxlow] Car. - [Operator] In the car? Was she okay? - [Harold Muxlow] (indistinct) Well, she didn't look like she wanted to be there. - [Narrator] At 9:00 PM on the evening of the abduction, two officers were posted at Toledo Blade Boulevard near I-75 watching for a green Camaro. The officers had a description of the car, a license plate number, and driver's license photos of Denise and King. At approximately 9:10 PM a green Camaro matching the description, drove onto the I-75 on-ramp. Based on his information, one officer intercepted the vehicle and drew his weapon. He ordered the driver to exit the car multiple times, but the driver refused. Finally, after a fifth command and a threat to shoot into the vehicle, the door opened and the driver exited the front door backward. His clothing was wet from the waist down and his shoes were muddy. The driver was identified as Michael King. There were no other occupants. King was detained and taken to the sheriff's office for questioning. (Hey how you doing) - [Detective] Mike, Mike, Mike ... You all right? - Yeah. - [Detective] Can I get you anything? - No, I'm fine. - [Detective] Sure? Cuffs okay? - Yeah, they're fine. (indistinct) Man. - [Detective] When was the last time I saw you, man? - About three years ago, man. Something like that. - [Detective] Didn't we run into each other somewhere? - Yeah, probably doing DUIs or something. Or checking for- - [Detective] Yeah, yeah, yeah. I remember that. What were you driving back then? You were coming through a checkpoint here in the city, right? - Yeah, I was driving, hmm. - (indistinct) Work together something? - [Detective] I don't remember. I do remember you used to do plumbing, right? - Hmm. You still do? - Everybody's cutting back to the new construction right now, but yeah, I still do plumbing, yeah. - [Detective] Oh, you want me to see or if I can go find out what's going on or what? - Would you want to? - [Detective] Yeah, I got another three to four hours of this man. - Oh yeah? - [Detective] Yeah. I don't get out till six, four hours. So I can sit here and be bored with you or I can go do some paperwork. (Michael laughs) I can't ask you anything about what happened because you said you didn't wanna talk to us. - Okay. I mean, they drove me through fields and everything. I mean through fields and up and down streets with no shoes. I mean, at least they could've given me my shoes and stuff. - [Detective] Who? I don't know- - The cops (indistinct). - [Detective] Okay. - I mean, I been up and down just like, I don't know. Do they don't know what if I'm gonna stay here or can I go or what? I mean they don't know. (Micheal King sighs) (indistinct) - [Detective] I can't talk to you 'cause you said you didn't wanna talk to us. You had the right to change your mind, but you got to let me know that or let somebody here know that if you're a victim and you want the help, then you gotta talk to... We can't do anything if we don't know anything. - I don't understand what's going on to be honest with you. I don't understand why I have to stay here or what's going on, you know the whole thing. You know what he was doing or anything. If I could just, if nobody tells me anything. - [Detective] Like I said- - Right- - [Detective] I can't help you unless you want the help or I can't talk to you unless you want to talk to me. - There's no way to get a attorney or something like that I could talk to and find out- - [Detective] That's what you're right- - So I can get outta here. That's the only way to do it. I think- - [Detective] Okay, so what are you saying? - I'd better have somebody I can talk to, that I can talk to and they get me out. - [Detective] You're welcome to use this. I can't tell you anything else, I mean... - No way of going home? No way of going or anything? - [Detective] As soon as they let me know, I'll let you. Sure you don't want want anything before I go? - I'm sure, I'm positive. Thank you. - [Detective] All right. Well Mike, I'll check back with you if you're still here, I'll go catch up on my stuff and if you need something just say, you can just yell or something. - Okay. - [Detective] I'm sure the monitor's still on or something, so. - All righty. Okay? - Right. Thank you. - [Detective] You sure you don't want anything, need anything? I'm positive. - [Detective] All right man. - [Detective] Okay, Mike, I need you to pay attention. I'm gonna read something to you, okay? - Okay. - This is a search warrant. Your name, the State of Florida to all singular. The sheriffs and constables of police officers acting in their jurisdiction and the state attorneys investigators acting within their judicial circuits of the State of Florida. Whereas I received affidavit for search warrant on this date made before me by the (indistinct) Detective Christopher Morales North Port police department I was is examined orally under oath the (indistinct) touching upon the facts of this warrant. (indistinct) Affidavit and where set facts have so made known to me by such (indistinct) in oral examination of set forth have caused me to certify and find that there's probable causes (indistinct) the laws of the State of Florida relative to Florida State Statute 787.01 subsection two kidnapping have been violated by Michael Lee King, white male, date of birth 5/4/71. And that evidence of the fruits of the crime are located on the filing described. Person to with the individual known as Michael L. King, born May 4th, 1971. He's a white male, he's five foot eight weighs, I have approximate 160 odd pounds, blonde hair. He's identified on Florida driver's license K King 525055271164-0. His social security is (indistinct). Therefore the presence are to command you with the proper necessary assistance, either in a daytime or nighttime as the existence of the situation may demand or require or in Sundays or holidays to obtain said person described above and digitally search said person there and reasonably believe to be involved in the criminal activity and seize evidence of any of the following on Mr. Michael Lee King. Finger nail clippings, clothing inclusive to T-shirt, underwear, blue jean pants, black sneakers, and make return of your doings under this warrant to me, and to my designated clerk and give proper receipts for any property taken on here under. (indistinct) - [Narrator] Following the interview, King was arrested and held in custody until trial. Two days later, Denise's nude body was discovered by cadaver dogs not far from where King was apprehended. She was in a shallow grave lying in a fetal position. A gunshot wound was visible on her body and water was in the bottom of the hole. The medical examiner testified that Denise died from a single gunshot wound to the head. Further, the injury was consistent with the gun having been placed against Denise's forehead when fired. Additionally, the medical examiner found there was aspirated blood in Denise's lungs, indicating that she continued to breathe for a period after the wound was inflicted. King's attorney Jerry Meisner did not present any witnesses at trial. On the other hand, prosecutors called more than 25 witnesses to testify. In addition, prosecutors informed the jury that the heart shaped ring given to Denise by Nathan early in their relationship was found in King's car. Denise's DNA was also found inside his vehicle as well as in his home and on his clothing. On February 6th, 2008, Michael King was indicted on one count of first degree murder for the killing of Denise Amber Lee. On August 28th, 2009, after deliberating for two and a half hours, Michael King was found guilty of first degree murder, involuntary sexual battery, and kidnapping. One week later, the jury recommended a death sentence by a margin of 12 to zero. Michael King is currently on death row at the Union Correctional Institution in Raiford, Florida, awaiting execution. Based on court records, it was apparent that Denise desperately fought for her life. She pounded on the windows of King's vehicle to draw attention, screamed for help and begged one witness to call the cops. She used her abductor's phone to call the police. In addition, several other people called 911 to report suspicious incidents, but it was not enough as authorities didn't find her in time. Community members suggestions that 911 operators mishandled the calls led to harsh criticism of the local and national 911 systems. Nathan Lee formed the Denise Amber Lee Foundation to promote better training around 911 calls and to create public awareness. The foundation's website states, "The foundation is here so no other person, family, or community has to endure the pure hell of a similar event and that no other children have to endure a lifetime without the comfort and guidance of their loving mother. We envision a time when a citizen's first call for help will be answered by a state of the art 911 call center, staffed with dedicated and highly trained professionals, a time when 911 will fail no one." On April 24th, 2008, the Florida legislature passed the Denise Amber Lee Act. This act provides optional training for 911 operators. However, Lee's family continues to push for a national law to be passed that would institute mandatory training and certification for all emergency dispatchers. What are your thoughts on this case? Could anything have been done differently to secure a better outcome for the Lee family? Who's responsible for the ongoing resistance to mandatory training for emergency dispatchers? As usual, feel free to share your thoughts below. (dramatic music)