Sheriff credits smart device for helping in call

TIJERAS, N.M.» A 911 call believed to have been triggered by a voiceactivated smart device was credited with alerting sheriff’s deputies in New Mexico’s mostly populous county to a potentially deadly domestic violence call, but authorities on Monday were unable to explain how the call went through.

Bernalillo County Sheriff Manuel Gonzales said only that technology “definitely helped save a mother and her child from a very violent situation.”

Based on the victim’s statements and a recording of the last week’s 911 call, authorities believe a voiceactivated smart device triggered the emergency call after the suspect had asked the woman if she had called the sheriff.

The woman could be heard during the call yelling “Alexa, call 911.”

Sheriff’s spokeswoman Deputy Felicia Romero acknowledged that she’s not sure what device might have been used.

When they arrived at the home in the mountains east of Albuquerque on July 2, they found the woman outside. She had swelling and bruising on her face and red marks on her body.

After a standoff that lasted several hours Eduardo Barros was taken him into custody with the help of a police dog.

He’s now facing charges including aggravated battery and being a felon in possession of a firearm.