A concerned caller may have saved lives when they contacted police to request a wellness check on children living in a Thomas Avenue apartment at Wayne Hills. They told dispatchers the home simply “wasn’t a safe place for kids.”
🚔 Officers responded immediately — and brought Children’s Services along for backup. When they arrived and saw the conditions, CPS took the children into custody on the spot, quickly securing a safe place for them to stay.
The children’s mother, Krystal Hawley, was arrested at the scene and charged with two counts of endangering children.
During the arrest, Hawley told officers she might be pregnant, prompting police to remove her restraints before transporting her to the Scioto County Jail.
Hawley later appeared in Portsmouth Municipal Court, where she pleaded no contest to the charges. She’s now awaiting sentencing on October 15.
⚠️ See Something, Say Something: When a Gut Feeling Saves Lives
🔍 Worried about a child’s safety? Don’t ignore the signs.
Unusual behavior, visible neglect, or disturbing living conditions may all point to a child in crisis.
📞 Make the call. You don’t have to prove abuse — just report your concern to police or CPS. Your voice could make all the difference.
🧒 Know the signs of endangerment:
- Young kids left home alone
- Unsanitary or unsafe living conditions
- Lack of basic needs (food, clothes, medical care)
- Emotional or physical signs of neglect or abuse
💬 Reporting isn’t betrayal — it’s protection.
Because in cases like this, one anonymous call meant safety, shelter, and a second chance for two innocent children.