It was a heartbreaking scene at the Scioto County Job & Family Services office, where two children—just 10 and 17 years old—were clinging to the only stability they had left: each other.
Police were called to the building after a report of a knife threat involving one of the children. Caseworkers said the older sibling allegedly threatened them when he believed the children were going to be separated into different placements.
But once officers arrived, the truth behind the tension became clear. The 17-year-old boy, who had been removed from a troubled home just hours earlier, wasn’t trying to harm anyone—he was simply terrified of being torn away from his younger sibling. Officers found no actual threat, no knife, and no aggression—just a deeply distressed teen doing everything he could to protect his little brother.
Police said the teen was calm and cooperative, and thankfully, no one was hurt. But the incident highlights the emotional turmoil kids face when they’re pulled from their homes and left in limbo—often spending long hours or even overnights in government offices while workers scramble to find placement.
According to Scioto County officials, this isn’t a rare occurrence. With a severe shortage of foster families, especially ones willing to take in siblings, caseworkers are often forced to choose between finding a bed or keeping families together.
Foster parents are urgently needed, especially those with the capacity to care for more than one child at a time.
These kids are already living through their worst nightmare. When agencies have to split them up, it can feel like losing their whole world.
If you’ve ever thought about fostering, now is the time to step up. These kids need more than a roof over their heads—they need a sense of safety, stability, and someone who’s not going to walk away when things get hard.
Because no child should have to beg not to lose their last connection to family.
