Beth Ann Dougherty, 46, of Ashland, was charged by Ashland Borough Police with communications with 911, graded as a second-degree misdemeanor.
According to an affidavit of probable cause, an officer was dispatched to the 1500 block of Walnut Street around 6:33 p.m. May 15 after Schuylkill County Communications received a report of a neighbor dispute.
Police said Dougherty accused a neighbor of harassing her and using a racial slur. The neighbor reportedly told police that Dougherty had used the slur while speaking with his wife.
The officer said Dougherty appeared to be intoxicated and acknowledged using the slur during the dispute, according to the affidavit. Police advised her to leave the neighbor alone and told the neighbor to call 911 if the alleged harassment continued. The neighbor declined to pursue charges over that incident.
Shortly afterward, county dispatchers reportedly contacted the officer and said Dougherty continued calling 911 and was requesting Pennsylvania State Police even though Ashland Police were on duty.
The officer then called Dougherty and warned her that she could be charged with misusing 911 if she continued making nonemergency calls. Police said she stated that she could call anyone she wanted.
According to the affidavit, Dougherty called 911 again several minutes after speaking with the officer. Police later reviewed recordings of two calls placed at approximately 7:13 p.m. and 7:42 p.m. Investigators alleged that neither call was made for an emergency purpose.
The criminal complaint was filed July 9 before Magisterial District Judge Edward Tarantelli. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Aug. 5 at 11 a.m.