Scioto County Sheriff’s Deputies once again found themselves navigating the difficult line between genuine concern and family conflict after responding to two separate child welfare checks this week.
A Father’s Concern
In the first case, a father asked deputies to check on his child, saying the child’s mother would not allow him to speak with the youngster. Deputies went to the home, where they found the child physically fine but displaying erratic behavior and using inappropriate language for their age.
The child’s mother told officers the child is on the autism spectrum but not receiving medication and that she intended to homeschool. Deputies documented their observations and made a report to Children’s Protective Services (CPS) for follow-up.
Another Call From Kentucky
Deputies were then contacted by the Kentucky State Police to check on a four-year-old child staying with his mother at a local hotel. The child’s father told Kentucky officials he missed a scheduled FaceTime call and feared for the child’s safety.
When deputies arrived, they found the child safe and sleeping. The mother explained the situation was not about child safety but rather a long history of domestic conflict with her ex, who she says has repeatedly requested welfare checks — approximately 30 times since their separation.
Deputies confirmed the child was fine and relayed their findings back to Kentucky authorities.
Officers on the Front Lines
These situations highlight how often deputies are placed in the middle of painful family disputes. Officers are trained to handle such calls with professionalism and compassion, ensuring that real concerns are addressed while also recognizing when repeated welfare checks are being used as a form of harassment.
The Right Way to Handle Concerns
Officials remind the public:
- If you fear for a child’s immediate safety, call 911. Deputies will always respond.
- If there are ongoing issues, work through the courts. Custody, visitation, and communication disputes must be addressed legally.
- Don’t use welfare checks as weapons. Repeated unnecessary calls can drain resources, traumatize children, and cross the line into harassment.
