AP/Lang
2/21/21
The drowning death of 15-year-old Noah Herring last April at the Coralville Reservoir could spark a new state law.
Iowa lawmakers are considering making it a crime to fail to call emergency responders to report when someone appears to be in serious danger.
Herring’s family supports the bill. The Tiffin teen was near the Diving Rock area of the lake near Scales Bend Road when he began struggling in the water. The Johnson County Sheriff’s Office said three teens and 47-year-old Scotty Harshman were present, but none placed a call to get help.
Dozens of interviews were conducted, with multiple search warrants executed. They resulted in one juvenile being charged with 5th degree theft, 3rd degree criminal mischief, and use of an electronic communication device while driving. Two others were charged with 3rd degree criminal mischief and 5th degree theft. Harshman was charged with 5th degree theft.
Then-detective sergeant Brad Kunkel said because of the lies given to law enforcement at the onset of the investigation, authorities may never know exactly what happened. No evidence of foul play was suspected, and no applicable charge exists for failing to call 911.
Democratic State Sen. Kevin Kinney of Oxford says the new bill would make failing to call emergency responders an aggravated misdemeanor.
