GRAHAM, Wash. (ABC 4 News) - The 911 call, made by the social worker who last saw Josh Powell and his two children alive was released Tuesday night. The social worker called 911 just moments before and after the house exploded.
In the call, the social worker can be heard telling the dispatcher she knew something terrible was about to happen. The social worker had just brought the children at Josh's home, but he quickly locked her out and she dialed 911.
The following quotes are excerpts from that call.
Social Worker: "I'm on a supervised visitation for a court ordered visit and something really weird has happened. The kids ran into the house and the parent, the biological parent, his name is Josh Powell, would not let me in the door. What should I do?"
She goes on to tell the operator nothing like this has ever happened before, but the operator won't move forward without an address.
Social Worker: "I don't know that the address is."
Operator: "Well, that's pretty important for me to know."
Social Worker: "I'm really shocked and I could hear one of the kids crying and he still wouldn't let me in."
Social Worker: "I think I need help right away. He is on a very short leash with DFHS and CPS is involved. This is the craziest thing. He looked right at me and closed the door... Are you there?"
Operator: "Yes ma'am. I'm just waiting to know where you are."
She gives the operator the information and tries to stress something could be wrong.
Social Worker: "I'd like to pull out of the driveway because I smell gasoline."
Minutes pass, as the dispatcher pumps the social worker for more information.
Social Worker: "It's a supervised visit."
Operator: "I understand. Who's house is it?"
Social Worker: "Josh Powell."
Operator: "Okay, and you don't live there, right?"
Social Worker: "No. I am contracted through the state to provide supervised visitation."
The social worker's patience appears to be tested, but she keeps her cool.
Social Worker: "He’s the husband of missing Susan Powell. This is a high profile case."
By this time, the children have spent 10 minutes inside the home.
Operator: "And the dad's last name?"
Social Worker: "Powell."
Operator: "His first name?"
Social Worker: "His first name is Josh."
Operator: "Black, white, Asian, Hispanic, native?"
Social Worker: "He's White."
Operator: "Date of birth?"
Social Worker: "I don't know. He's about 39."
Operator: "How tall?"
Social Worker: "5'10". 150 pounds."
Operator: "Hair color?"
Social Worker: "Brown."
Operator: "Did you notice what he was wearing?"
Social Worker: "No I didn't notice what he was wearing."
Operator: "Is he alone?"
Social Worker: "I don't know. I couldn't get into the house."
Social Worker: "How long will it be?"
Operator: "I don't know ma'am. We have to respond to emergency life threatening situations first."
Social Worker: "Well this could be life threatening! He went to court on Wednesday and he didn't get his kids back. I'm afraid for their lives."
Operator: "Okay, has he threatened the lives of the children previously?"
Social Worker: "I have no idea."
Operator: "Alright. We'll have the first available deputy contact you."
Moments later, the social worker calls again. A separate operator answers.
The social worker's tone is more panicked during the second call.
Operator: "Hi ma'am are you calling about the fire on the 8200 block of..."
Social Worker: "Yes. It exploded, the house!"
Operator: "Do you know if anyone is in the house?"
Social Worker: "Yes! There was a man and two children. I just dropped off the children and he wouldn't let me in the door."
The operator tells the social worker to stay on the line while she dispatches the fire department.
Social Worker: "I can hear the fire trucks but they're not here yet..."
Operator: "We have an engine there."
Social Worker: "People are saying there's no one there, but I was just there and there is somebody there. There's two little boys in the house, they're five and seven and there's an adult man. He has supervised visitation and he blew up the house, the kids! He slammed the door in my face and I kept knocking. I thought it was a mistake. I kept knocking and then I called 911!"
Operator: "And you think he might have done this intentionally?"
Social Worker: "Yes."
