During an emergency call to report a break in on New Year's Eve, a 911 dispatcher told a teenaged mother in Oklahoma named Sarah McKinley to shoot and kill the intruder as a form of defense to protect herself and her baby.

McKinley, 18, told ABC the intruder, 24-year-old Justin Martin, broke into her Oklahoma home on Dec. 31 and threatened to attack her and her 3-month-old baby with a 12-inch hunting knife.

McKinley said she called 911, grabbed her 12-gauge shotgun and a pistol and quieted her baby with a bottle.

I've got two guns in my hand -- is it okay to shoot him if he comes in this door? McKinley asked the 911 dispatcher. I'm here by myself with my infant baby, can I please get a dispatcher out here immediately?

During the 21-mintue phone call with emergency services, McKinley asked if she can shoot the intruder.

I can't tell you that you can do that but you do what you have to do to protect your baby, the dispatcher responded.

Shortly after, Martin broke in through the door, prompting McKinley fire a shot which killed him, sparking controversy about whether or not shooting a burglar is legal.

You're allowed to shoot an unauthorized person that is in your home. The law provides you the remedy, and sanctions the use of deadly force, Blanchard Police Det. Dan Huff told ABC.

According to ABC News Oklahoma City affiliate KOCO, Martin went to McKinley's home a week before the incident, the same day a funeral took place for her husband who died of cancer on Christmas day. McKinley said Martin was a neighbor who wanted to say hello, but she did not let him in initially.

Police said Martin returned a week later, on Dec. 31, to stop by again, this time with the hunting knife and an accomplice named, Dustin Stewart, who fled when the gun sounded.

I wouldn't have done it, but it was my son, McKinley told ABC News Oklahoma City affiliate KOCO about shooting Martin. It's not an easy decision to make, but it was either going to be him or my son. And it wasn't going to be my son. There's nothing more dangerous than a woman with a child.

Dustin Stewart was charged with burglary.

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