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Radio DJ Suspended After Mocking Woman With Downs Syndrome Who Accidentally Called the Show — Hear What Was Said

Feb. 1, 2013 2:15pm Liz Klimas

A radio DJ in Ohio has been suspended after he making fun of a woman with Downs syndrome who accidentally called into the show.

According to WPTV, 30-year-old Kellie Baker misdialed the The Mo Show on Q92 near Canton, Ohio, last week and she was put through on air. Her family says the conversation that ensued afterward was unacceptable.

Q92 DJ Mo Suspended for Mocking Woman With Downs Syndrome Who Accidentally Called

DJ Mo (Photo: Q92)

Here’s part of the transcript from the call:

K: Can I talk to Kelly Ann Burkhart please?
M: You what now?
K: Kelly Ann Burkhart.
M: You what?
K: OK I’m Kellie Christine Baker. I talk to Kel–
M: You what?
K: Ann Burkhart.

[...]

M: Eh, Uh… I don’t want to come across– obviously you have some sort of a speech impediment.
K: Uh… no, this my voice.

M: What?
K: This my voice.
M: It’s your voice?
K: Yes.
M: Well, it’s the– I’m just saying– Don’t get angry. Obviously I—
K: I’m not angry. I’m not angry, I’m not.

[...]

K: I want to talk to my friend.
M: Are you from this country?
K: Uh, I live Strausburg.
M: You what?
K: I live Strausburg.
M: You live in Strausburg?
K: Yes.
M: Okay. And, and, and speak SLOWLY. What would you like?
K: I want to talk to Kelly Ann Burkhart.

(Image: WOIO screenshot via WTSP)

The conversation continued even further. When DJ Mo ended the call, he said to his listeners she sounded “like the teacher from The Peanuts cartoon.” DJ Mo went on for several more minutes analyzing Baker’s speech, replaying back some of their conversation.

Listen to the call (via New York Daily News):

WPTV reported a listener claiming to have a medical background calling in later to say she thought the female calling DJ Mo had Downs syndrome.

The DJ apologized on Facebook (his page seems to have been disabled) and on air after the incident, saying he thought it was a prank call and he “played along with it.”

“I would like to apologize to the woman that called, her family, her friends and everyone else that has been outraged by what transpired last Monday. I am truly sorry. …I take full responsibly.”

DJ Mo said the family asked for a face-to-face apology, which he said he was more than willing to offer at their convenience.

Listen to his apology here.

He was later suspended by the station, which issued the following apology to the family:

Q92 and The Mo Show would like to take this opportunity to reaffirm its support of efforts to raise awareness regarding the challenges faced by people with developmental disabilities. Specifically, the station wishes to sincerely apologize again for any actions or comments that could be construed as making light of the challenges faced by persons that are developmentally disabled or casting those persons in any humorous light. The station’s policy is to treat our callers and listeners with the utmost respect, professionalism, and sensitivity.

Q92 and Ms. Baker’s family have been in communication since the call aired on January 21 with the goal of raising awareness regarding the challenges faced by people with developmental disabilities. When contacted by the family on January 22, the station immediately apologized and reiterates its policy of treating all callers and listeners with the utmost respect and professionalism. The station has engaged with Ms. Baker’s family in an effort to work in conjunction with Natalie Lupi, superintendent of the Tuscarawas County Board of Developmental Disabilities and Bill Green, superintendent of the Stark County Board of Developmental Disabilities to discuss opportunities to collaborate in raising awareness towards people who are developmentally disabled. Q92 is committed to continuing to work with Ms. Baker’s family and these important community organizations to promote these goals.

WPTV said they do not wish DJ Mo to be fired but that the incident serve to raise awareness about the syndrome.

Watch this WOIO report (via WTSP) about the situation and some speculation that station seems to have a history of bullying disabled people:

(H/T: Daily Mail)

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Comments (34)

RSHLUVER
Posted on February 5, 2013 at 7:57pm
The D.J is black so he’s protected.

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FreedbyTruth
Posted on February 2, 2013 at 1:23pm
I have a really absurd idea for all of the folks that support what the DJ did. If he actually tried to treat all people with respect instead contempt, and just tools for comedic attempts this would not be an issue. He has the right to do it, but that does not make it right.

I am not talking about being PC do not get me wrong. We do not have to check every word we say to ensure some ultra sensitive group is not offended. I am saying general disrespect should not govern our actions.

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ickyopterus
Posted on February 2, 2013 at 7:33am
Why is this even a story worth relating, everyone knows that Downs Syndrome children are usually quite pesky and unsightly and won’t keep their hands to themselves. I was in a restaurant the last week and had to get up and move to another table because one of these afflicted kids was acting up. Good grief why does certain people think you have to accommodate every miscreant breathing?

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- FreedbyTruth
  Posted on February 2, 2013 at 1:41pm
  I usually do not attack in my few posts, but Icky come on man. You need to get over yourself. Do you really think you are so perfect that nothing you do offends? How do you Know that Downs children are Usually pesky and cannot keep their hands to themselves (btw the person in this audio was an adult not a child). Are you an Expert on this birth defect Icky. Did you do a case study it medical school, or did you just run into one person in a restaurant and in your perfection could not tolerate their imperfection.
  
  I guess we should all go back to the days when folks with Downs were just locked so that they would not be a hindrance to the rest of us. Is that what you are advocating here Icky
  
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WellRegulatedMilitia
Posted on February 2, 2013 at 4:23am
This guy did nothing wrong. Had he known he wouldn’t have clowned this poor girl. He goes on to complain about society being ultra sensitive and politically correct about every little thing and I tend to agree with him.

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RoDogg
Posted on February 1, 2013 at 7:07pm
The 90s show In Living Color would get in so much trouble today!

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Keep Your Skepticals On
Posted on February 1, 2013 at 5:48pm
Isn’t this kinda like complaining that traffic is all going the wrong way after taking a wrong turn down a one-way street?

And anyone who hasn’t, listen to all the audio. He was just as blind-sided as she was – and it was all a very frank and friendly conversation digesting the call – not hamming it up.

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Chuck7884
Posted on February 1, 2013 at 5:20pm
Suspend him over what? and how was he supposed to know the caller had downs syndrome ?.

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- the_truth_or_not
  Posted on February 2, 2013 at 4:23pm
  I agree. Now, if anyone is to be suspended why wasn’t it the call screener? Just about every radio show has them, only if it is to ask your name. I cant see how a wrong number would not be dectected during a screen. It sounds like there may have been ill intent by the screeners behalf. Just sayin’.
  
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TJexcite
Posted on February 1, 2013 at 4:15pm
Did they suspend the call screener who put the name on the board and what did the comment say on why she is calling the radio station. Something like “person who is playing dumb and and can’t talk right. So dumb they dialed the wrong number”. So they put her on hold and went live to air with it thinking it was a bit from a prank call. Not just the DJ but everyone from call screeners to producers to who was working the control room board should be suspend and then reassigned to a new job.

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mbean
Posted on February 1, 2013 at 4:09pm
Free speech can be stupid, but its up to his employer as he was representing them when on air.

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Cherbear
Posted on February 1, 2013 at 4:02pm
As a former secretary, I had to type from dictation of doctors from various countries and it at times was very unclear. I just listened to the whole recording and he was NOT ignorant to the caller, believe me he was a lot more patient with her than some people I’ve met. His ending comments about what you can and can’t say on radio was spot on.

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kfogs1957
Posted on February 1, 2013 at 3:22pm
What an incredible talent DJ Mo is. Disgraceful Human.

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- disneyz21
  Posted on February 1, 2013 at 4:05pm
  you people disgust me, i’ve heard people misdial rock stations and be ripped apart. nobody is allowed free speech because someone somewhere might be offended, maybe people should have t wear signs saying everything you can’t joke about around them and open phone conversations with that same list.
  
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Anonymous T. Irrelevant
Posted on February 1, 2013 at 3:17pm
If it was a white DJ and the caller was black, they’d be calling him the Grand Wizard for making fun of a black person’s speech pattern.

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- joeslick
  Posted on February 1, 2013 at 5:06pm
  I agree with you 10000%, but she obviously had the wrong number, he was doing a show and felt it was a prank on him during his show. He has to be entertaining to make his living. He apologized. I don’t think he meant any harm and what he said was not over the top in any form. Cut the man some slack. If he had set it up and it went this way, I’d say hang the SOB. But in this case, I can’t.
  
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Lovesmesomeglennbeck
Posted on February 1, 2013 at 3:03pm
As a person with a developmental disablitly, I am offended by that DJ’s actions.

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term limits for congress
Posted on February 1, 2013 at 2:51pm
They can’t afford a call screener?

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- HMNSC
  Posted on February 1, 2013 at 3:02pm
  Is this any different than Beck’s “more-on trivia” ?
  
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- ADNIL
  Posted on February 1, 2013 at 6:52pm
  I listened to “more-on” trivia today and it was so funny that it WASN’T funny! I do believe the point of it is to show you and I what the average person does NOT know about our country. REALLY! today the 2 people I heard could not answer the question of the date of the declaration of independence, among other questions. It is heartbreaking, really. I don’t get to listen to more-on trivia very often but it us usually the same. People just don’t know the things we were taught in grade school about our country any more. NO WONDER we are about to lose it all!
  
  OH – And these people KNOW they are on the air to answer questions and agree beforehand to do so.
  
  Report this comment
ellietoo
Posted on February 1, 2013 at 2:49pm
It’s all about you isn’t it Mr. DJ?

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chips1
Posted on February 1, 2013 at 2:43pm
I totally disagree with this radio station and the people that require an appology. Unless the girls phone indicates that the call is being made by a disabled person, how was the DJ supposed to know?
Kimmel goes out on the street and talks toreally stupid liberals and it’s called funny. What if at a later time a family member complains that the person that was interviewed was disabled, how would Kimmel have that info? It should be required for a person that has problems afix a warning label on their forehead or other visable area to warn other citizens of an abnormal human. At least it gives a person a chance to avoid getting into an akward situation.

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- KevINtampa
  Posted on February 1, 2013 at 2:57pm
  DING DING DING DING
  
  You hit the nail on the head here Chips. It’s EXACTLY what I was thinking. Some sort of labeling system so that everyone is aware of another person’s disablement. How can we know to treat a person differently if we don’t know they are different to begin with? Also, goes right inline with the Disability Treaty the UN was harping about a month ago.
  
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- Anonymous T. Irrelevant
  Posted on February 1, 2013 at 3:27pm
  To be fair, he wasn’t really nasty about it or to her. He just didn’t understand her.
  
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- betterpart
  Posted on February 2, 2013 at 4:46am
  CHIPS AND KEVIN: It requires simple common sense—and LISTENING. You two squirrels don’t seem to have much on that end.
  
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- chips1
  Posted on February 2, 2013 at 1:42pm
  One thing about us squirrels, we recognize a nut.
  
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Timmy_NorthWest
Posted on February 1, 2013 at 2:40pm
Honestly man, ya just don’t make fun of people. You don’t know why that person talks that way, especially on the phone, the screeners for calls on the show should have done a better job of not letting this stuff get through. They should be suspended too.

My Ancestor Said,”Give Me Liberty Or Give Me Death!”

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- HMNSC
  Posted on February 1, 2013 at 3:46pm
  Again I must bring up Beck’s “More-on Trivia” he makes fun and ridicules people working in convenience stores. Do you think that’s ok?
  
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- Tenor
  Posted on February 1, 2013 at 6:10pm
  I have to agree with the comment regarding Moron Trivia. I can’t listen Friday mornings because of it. I’ve worked a lot of different jobs and even though I have a Master’s degree and like to think I’m well versed in most issues, I’ve worked alongside many folks who simply live their lives. I think the guys end up looking like morons when they call a place and then spend the next 20 min. trying to make fun of someone who actually has a job and is being productive in society. I suppose if you really want to do moron trivia correctly, call college professors, that’s something I could listen to.
  
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RJJinGadsden
Posted on February 1, 2013 at 2:34pm
Simply more of the Left’s war on women. And, not only that, the mentally challenged make for a good source of entertainment…..if you are a left loon radio host.

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chris72sax
Posted on February 1, 2013 at 2:34pm
I’m sure he thought he was being pranked. I’d give him the benefit of the doubt.

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- CatB
  Posted on February 1, 2013 at 2:48pm
  Yes … I agree but in this p.c. world there is no room for mistakes or apologies.
  
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- katzmeow44
  Posted on February 1, 2013 at 5:08pm
  I agree, CATB. He apologized and that wasn’t good enough, they wanted a face to face apology! And he got suspended as well. Geez. moveon.com!
  
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oldguy49
Posted on February 1, 2013 at 2:27pm
and he was supposed to know .///////how

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