Portsmouth Police were called into what initially sounded like a potential crisis — but quickly turned into something very different.
Just after noon, a man contacted police claiming his wife had been gone for days, had returned briefly to say she had “a gun and ammo,” and then left again in a steel-colored Chevy Colorado. He also told dispatch that if she were suicidal, she would likely go to Sunset Gardens Cemetery, where her family is buried.
Given the alarming details, officers immediately attempted to call the woman, leaving a voicemail when she did not answer. Police also requested that Scioto County Sheriff’s deputies check the cemetery.
The Truth Comes Out
Before long, officers reached the woman by phone — and her story was nothing like the man’s.
She told police:
- She was not suicidal
- She was getting food, perfectly safe
- She did not want her husband knowing her location
- She said he had kicked her out and she’d been staying away “due to his meanness”
- She requested no contact with him
Police confirmed she was safe and advised her to call if she needed anything. No welfare check was necessary at the cemetery, and no threat to herself or others existed.
When Welfare Checks Are Weaponized
Welfare checks are an important tool — they save lives. But they can also be misused during domestic conflict, either to control, intimidate, or harass a partner who is trying to get space or leave a difficult relationship.
Misusing police resources for personal disputes can:
- Tie up officers needed for real emergencies
- Create unnecessary panic
- Escalate an already fragile domestic situation
- Place both parties and police in potentially dangerous encounters
In this case, officers handled the situation calmly and professionally, ensuring the woman’s safety while filtering out exaggerated and false claims.
When SHOULD You Request a Welfare Check?
Only when you reasonably believe someone may be in danger due to:
- Medical emergency
- Mental health crisis
- Threats of self-harm
- Sudden loss of contact with concerning circumstances
NOT because:
- You’re in an argument
- Someone won’t return your calls
- You’re trying to track down a partner who doesn’t want contact
- You’re using police as leverage in a domestic dispute
If You’re in a Domestic Dispute and Need Space
Here are safer, healthier steps:
- Contact a neutral third party or counselor
- If you feel unsafe, call police for the actual issue, not a welfare check
- Understand that adults have the right to leave home and not disclose their location if they feel threatened or overwhelmed
- If you fear for your safety, protection orders exist for a reason
A Quiet Resolution — Thanks to Officers’ Careful Response
Police treated the woman’s safety as top priority while recognizing signs of a potentially manipulative welfare check.
Their thoughtful handling prevented unnecessary escalation — and ensured the woman could stay safe, on her own terms.
If you or someone you know is navigating a volatile domestic situation, resources are available, including the domestic violence hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE.
Welfare checks save lives — but only when used the right way.
