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Family of murdered Cleveland woman seeks answers after slow emergency response time

The parents of Carly Capek say it took a half hour for police to respond while she was being attacked, only to find her dead.

CLEVELAND — The family of a Cleveland woman who was murdered in her home earlier this month is demanding answers after what they believe was a slow response by police as the crime was taking place.

Carly Capek's family says it took the Cleveland Division of Police 30 minutes to respond to a 911 call when she was being attacked.

"When someone is in the process of attacking, beating, and engaging in a brutal assault, there should be an officer there within minutes," said Terry Gilbert, attorney for Capek's family.

The incident took place on September 6 in the 2100 block of West 78th Street in the Detroit-Shoreway neighborhood.

The 38-year-old Capek was found dead, and a 50-year-old man who lived in the home with her was arrested. Police reported that Capek had multiple severe head and body injuries. A police report added that "multiple citizens" had called 911.

Yet despite the numerous calls for help, Capek's family says there was a lack of an emergency response from police. 

"The idea that the police department who is supposed to protect people failed to arrive has just compounded that grief and trauma," Gilbert added.

The city of Cleveland confirms there's currently an internal investigation going on as requested by the city safety director and mayor. Neither the Cleveland Division of Police nor the city can comment any further because the investigation is still ongoing. 

That's why Capek's family believes it's important to keep up pressure and keep asking questions.

"There has to be a backup plan if they don't have enough police officers. This could happen to anybody," said Capek's stepmother, Pamela Sidelka.

On Monday night, Cleveland City Council introduced a resolution calling for the city to use a faster, more reliable 911 system called Next Generation 9-1-1 (NG911), saying, in part, it will "provide faster and more reliable emergency assistance by using updated technology to provide real-time information." 

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