Monday was a reminder that some of the toughest calls Portsmouth police officers respond to don’t involve crimes or crashes but families in crisis and teens struggling to stay on track.
Throughout the day, officers handled multiple calls involving juveniles, working to calm volatile situations, locate missing teens, and make sure young people made it home safely.
Morning Domestic Disturbance Involving Teen
Just after 8:20 a.m., a Portsmouth mother called police to report her 16-year-old daughter was screaming, throwing objects, and tearing items off the walls inside their home. The mother told officers the teen had threatened to kill her and her unborn child.
By the time officers arrived, the situation had de-escalated. The mother said she had asked her daughter to leave the home and stay with a friend’s family. She explained the argument stemmed from the teen having friends stay overnight without her knowledge. The mother declined to file a report and said the girl was safe with a friend’s parents.
Afternoon Call Raises Serious Concerns
At approximately 5:30 p.m., officers responded to a call from a woman concerned about a juvenile who had been staying at her residence. The caller said the teen had claimed he was listed as a missing person and had told her he had stabbed someone during an altercation in Minford.
Officers contacted Scioto County Sheriff’s Office dispatch to investigate the claim. Dispatch advised they were not aware of any recent stabbing incidents but began checking records and indicated a supervisor would follow up regarding the juvenile. The caller reported the teen had left about 20 minutes before police were notified and provided a clothing description. Despite efforts, officers were unable to locate him at that time.
Runaway Report Ends Safely
Later, around 7:30 p.m., police were called regarding a teenage boy who had reportedly run away. The boy was on probation, adding urgency to the situation. Officers gathered information, attempted to locate him through known addresses, and shared details on social media in hopes of finding him quickly.
Police later confirmed the teen was located safely the following afternoon.
Late-Night Curfew Check
The final juvenile-related call came just before 11 p.m., when a grandmother reported her 15-year-old grandson had not returned to their room at the Royal Inn on Kendall, violating a court-ordered curfew tied to his probation. She told officers she believed the teen was at a Wayne Hills address.
Officers located the boy in Wayne Hills and transported him home safely.
Officers Balancing Enforcement With Care
These calls highlight the often unseen side of police work—officers acting as crisis managers, mediators, and safety nets for young people and their families. While the situations were stressful and, at times, alarming, Portsmouth officers focused on de-escalation, communication, and ensuring teens were safe and accounted for.