Police Investigate Bizarre Emergency Call From Bishop

Dispatch Reports Bishop Spoke Of Little People Wearing Masks

GALLUP, N.M. -- Gallup police reported a bizarre set of circumstances following a recent emergency call to the home of Roman Catholic Bishop Donald Pelotte.

The most recent event happened Thursday when Gallup police reported receiving an emergency call from Pelotte, 62.

An incident report from the McKinley Metropolitan Dispatch Authority reported that Pelotte told operators "...gentle little people, about 3 to 4 feet tall, and wearing Halloween masks" were in the hall. The dispatch log reported that Pelotte said he hid in a closet while the people were in his home.

The report said Pelotte offered conflicting information about the people who he said were in his home.

At one point, he said one person came to visit and the others also came inside. He also described them as strangers and said they had been there three hours and didn't want to leave.

Police report they never found anyone inside Pelotte's home.

Pelotte recently returned to Gallup after being treated for injuries sustained in a fall at his home in July. Since then, he has been in and out of hospitals and recovery centers in New Mexico, Phoenix, Houston and Florida.

Police said at the time of his original fall that the initial report was that the bishop had been attacked by intruders who entered his home. Pelotte later confirmed that he had fallen.

The diocese told reporters in Gallup that priests who consult Pelotte will make decisions concerning his involvement in the church.