Wednesday, June 4, 2008 --- 9:15 a.m.

According to a press release from the Dane County Sheriff's Office:

At approximately 2:30 a.m., Dane County Sheriff's Deputies were dispatched to an area east of 2349 Williams Point Drive, in the Town of Pleasant Springs, for a 911 hang up call from an unsubscribed cellular telephone. Unsubscribed cellular telephones can still dial 911, but can not be called back. Because the location of the 911 hang up could not be pinpointed, an extensive search of the area was conducted by deputies, with the assistance of the Stoughton Police Department.

With the help of the 911 Center providing latitude and longitude coordinates, the on-scene Sheriff's Office Sergeant was able to input the coordinates into the GPS program on his squad computer and narrow the search to 300 feet. Deputies were then able to locate two prank callers who were staying in the group campground at Lake Kegonsa State Park. A chaperone with the group discovered the students misusing the cellular telephone and placed a call to the 911 Center as the deputies were arriving in the campground.

The two pranksters, ages 12 and 13, were part of a group of Madison School District students participating in a camping trip at the park. Charges of False Reports to the 911 System were referred on the two juveniles, who were then released to the chaperone. The two also admitted to making an earlier prank call at 7:25 pm, on Tuesday, June 3, 2008. Deputies, who do not have the GPS capabilities in their individual squads, were dispatched to this earlier call, but were unable to locate the caller, or anyone in need of assistance.

The Dane County Sheriff's Office would like to remind citizens to use the 911 Emergency System appropriately and only in cases of emergency. Also keep in mind unsubscribed cellular telephones do not have the capability to receive calls back, so remain on the line when calling, and provide as much information as possible to your location.