When six-year-old Sam was told by his dad that his mom had “flown to heaven,” he thought she was just on a trip. He asked when she’d be back — and his dad broke down in tears.

A week later, still confused and missing her deeply, Sam called 911. The phone was answered by a dispatcher named John Lewis.

“This is 911, how may I help you?”.

“This is Sam and I’m calling to tell you about my mother.”

“Why?” the voice asked. “What’s wrong with her?”

“Well she has not been home for a few days and me and my dad are getting worried,” Sam answered. “He says she went to heaven but I’m afraid she got lost on her way.”

The dispatcher almost hung up, thinking it was a prank—until he heard the despair in the boy’s voice.