Perhaps, though you’d think the article wouldn’t have given him credit for thinking of it if it happened that way. The writer apparently had access to the 911 tape and police reports. Maybe you’re right, though I have a feeling such standard procedures may go out the window when the caller is a 3 year old, unless the operator heard a dog barking in the background.
My limited experience with reporters leads me to believe that
A) most of them have an IQ somewhere around room temperature levels, and
B) they will never let the truth get in the way of a good story.
But, anything's possible, I suppose.