Cedar Rapids woman arrested after repeatedly calling, cursing dispatchers

Donya Humbles was so upset about her son's arrest that she called police 60 times and repeatedly cursed at dispatchers, police said.

Humbles, 33, of Cedar Rapids, was arrested early Wednesday morning for third-degree harassment. She made the calls April 14 after learning that her son had been arrested at school, police said.

That evening, she came to the Police Station where she spoke to a commander, but she became disorderly and was asked to leave, according to the police report.

When she returned home around 6 p.m., Humbles called police and swore at the dispatchers repeatedly, Sgt. Cristy Hamblin said. They eventually hung up on her, but Humbles called back.

Again, and again. For the next three hours.

“Our dispatchers couldn't say a word,” Hamblin said. “She ranted and raved and called our dispatchers every name in the book.”

According to the police report, Humbles said she was going to find out where the dispatchers lived and come to find them. She also said she could see why Officer Tim Davis was assaulted.

Police said Humbles was angry because her son, Jamal McKaufman, Jr., 14, had been arrested following a fight at Wilson School earlier that day. Officers saw him walking away when they arrived and stopped him to talk. Visibly upset, they put him in the back of a squad car in an attempt to calm him down, Hamblin said.

The squad door was open when McKaufman pulled it shut on Officer Ron DeWitt's elbow. McKaufman was then arrested for disorderly conduct, interference with official acts and assault on a peace officer.

The news must have gotten back to Humbles, Hamblin said.

“We understand people get upset, and we hear all kinds of language,” Hamblin said. “But the dispatcher is there to help, not to be abused.”

A warrant for Humbles' arrest was issued April 20. Officers arrested her at 12:01 a.m. Wednesday at her residence, 1040 Third Ave. SE, Apt. N. She was transported to the Linn County Jail.