A woman taking pictures of homes in Scioto County sparked police calls and a social media uproar after residents became concerned that she might be photographing children.
The mystery prompted the woman to speak out online and contact the Scioto County Sheriff’s Office, which has since issued a public safety notice explaining why she was visiting the properties.
It turns out she was a property and mortgage field inspector doing her job.
Foster Parent Calls Deputies
The first call came from a concerned foster parent in Wheelersburg.
According to the sheriff’s office log, the woman said an unknown female had been taking pictures of her home earlier in the day and had attempted to photograph the inside of the residence.
The foster parent said she did not know who the woman was and had not been able to speak with her.
Deputies took information for a report.
In a separate call from the west side of the county, a woman reported that a stranger had taken pictures of children she was babysitting.
The caller said the stranger claimed to be a property subcontractor and offered to wait for the sheriff, but left before deputies arrived.
The caller did not get a license plate number and wanted to speak with law enforcement about the incident.
Social Media Erupts
Stories and pictures of the woman began circulating on social media, raising concerns among residents who did not know why she was photographing their homes.
The woman, identified as Rosanna May Russ, took to social media to explain that she was a certified property and mortgage field inspector.
Russ said she had been assigned to inspect the properties and was not there because of the children.
“I am however responsible for updating the mortgage company about ‘Their Property’ until the mortgage is paid in full and the deed is released to you!” she wrote.
Russ explained that she works through an agency serving multiple mortgage companies and that property visits can involve occupancy verification and other mortgage-related matters.
She said she had been confronted about the photographs and wanted to clear up the confusion.
Russ also announced that she planned to visit the Scioto County Sheriff’s Office.
Sheriff’s Office Confirms Her Work
The sheriff’s office subsequently issued a public safety notice identifying Russ as a property and mortgage field inspector.
According to the sheriff’s office, Russ contacted the department after reporting that she had been threatened while performing her job duties in the county.
The department explained that mortgage field inspectors may visit homes for routine inspections, including when a mortgage has fallen behind or a loan has been sold or transferred to another lender.
The sheriff’s office emphasized that an inspector’s presence at a home does not mean the homeowner has done anything wrong.
The department also provided descriptions of the vehicles Russ may be driving to help residents recognize her and avoid further confusion.
Russ later thanked Sheriff David Thoroughman and the sheriff’s office for helping clear up the situation.
What Should You Do if Someone Is Photographing Your Home?
It is understandable that a foster parent or someone caring for children would be concerned about a stranger taking pictures of a home, particularly if the person appeared to be photographing the children or trying to see inside.
But there are legitimate reasons a property inspector may visit a residence without the homeowner having requested an inspection.
If someone shows up photographing your property and you are unsure why, you can ask who they work for and contact your mortgage servicer independently to verify whether an inspection was ordered. You do not have to let an unexpected visitor inside your home simply because they claim to be an inspector.
The sheriff’s office is asking residents with questions about someone conducting business at or near their property to call 740-354-7566 rather than confront the person.
In this case, two calls from concerned residents grew into an online controversy before the inspector and the sheriff’s office were able to explain what was happening.
The concerns brought the matter to deputies’ attention. The follow-up helped clear the air.