Around 6:30 Sunday night, Clark County, Ohio 911 dispatchers received a call from a distressed resident.
Rebecca Keeton reported there was a person sitting on the front porch of her home armed with a gun.
"I'm scared to death," Keeton told the dispatcher.
Within minutes deputies had Keeton's home surrounded and were attempting to negotiate with the armed man.
When he didn't respond, they drew their weapons and went in through the back of the home and confronted the suspect.
That is when they discovered it was a dummy armed with a toy gun that had been placed on Keeton's front porch by her cousin, Tammy Moore.
"They didn't mean harm. They did not know how we would react to it," explained Keeton's son, Kyle. He was not home during the ordeal.
Kyle Keeton said the dummy was the latest prank in a long string of practical jokes within the family.
"I think this will put a hold to it. It lets them both know you can't do whatever you want with a joke. No guns," added Keeton.
However, Sheriff Gene Kelley said it was no laughing matter.
"We believed it was a real gun. We believed it was a real person from a distance," he said.
Sheriff Kelly said it was a tense situation for his deputies.
The department is still reeling from the shooting death of Deputy Suzanne Hopper, who was killed while investigating a scene on New Year's Day 2011.
"Any situation like this, brings back memories of a year ago at Enon Beach. Any call can turn into a serious violent confrontation," said Kelly.
Moore's son said he understands why deputies are not happy, but does not think criminal charges are necessary.
The Sheriff disagrees.
"Practical jokes are fine, but this was a practical joke that went too far," explained Sheriff Kelly.
Moore is charged with inducing panic and is expected to make her first court appearance Wednesday.
TXT 24
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