Deputies Step In as Teen Meltdown Escalates in West Portsmouth 

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SCDN File Photo

When a 13-year-old’s outburst turned physical in West Portsmouth, family members had no choice but to call for backup. 

Scioto County Sheriff’s Deputies responded after a caller reported the teen was screaming and trying to hit people. Deputies spoke directly to the child, even going so far as to read them their rights and explain that continued aggression could result in arrest. 

Officers also reached out to the youth’s probation officer before deciding the best course of action was to release the child back into parental care. 

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When Families Call for Backup
This kind of call is more common than many realize. Deputies are often asked to intervene when young people spiral out of control and parents feel they’ve run out of options. While arrests are possible, officers usually aim to de-escalate the situation, connect with probation officers or social services, and give families tools to manage the behavior safely at home. 

Law enforcement leaders stress they aren’t just there to enforce the law — they’re also on the front lines of family crises, stepping in when tensions boil over and parents need help. 

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