What began as a frantic 911 call quickly escalated into a full-blown kidnapping and domestic violence investigation after a man told dispatch he feared his girlfriend was being held against her will.
The caller said the woman was with Chad Warren, who he believed was driving a red Chevy Malibu and possibly heading toward Pike County. As deputies began investigating, the situation took a terrifying turn.
Three Words That Changed Everything
While officers were working the call, the reporting party received a phone call from the woman. During that call, she was heard saying “Stop hitting me” — twice — before the line went dead.
At that point, deputies treated the case as a possible kidnapping.
Phone Can’t Be Tracked
Dispatch initiated emergency procedures to locate the woman’s phone. However, AT&T Global Legal Demands advised that the phone had not been active for at least 24 hours and could not be pinged.
With no phone location available, deputies began physically checking addresses linked to the suspect.
Victim Found, Medical Help Called
After checking multiple locations, deputies located the woman and immediately called for an ambulance.
Officers learned the woman had an open warrant, but she was treated as a victim, not a suspect. Records show she had recently been picked up by U.S. Marshals, taken to the hospital, and granted conditional release, with probation advising officers to release her and instruct her to report to court.
Suspect Arrested
Deputies arrested Chad Warren and booked him into the Scioto County Jail on multiple charges, including:
- Probation violation
- Domestic violence
- Disrupting public service
- Unlawful restraint
Warren is scheduled to appear in Portsmouth Municipal Court for a pretrial hearing on January 27.
⚠️ Why This Case Matters
This incident underscores how real-time information—and quick action—can save lives. A single phone call, two alarming words, and fast coordination between dispatch, deputies, and medical responders turned a potentially deadly situation into a rescue.
It also highlights a sobering reality: when phones go dark, police are forced back to old-school methods—knocking on doors, chasing leads, and hoping they’re not too late.
In this case, they weren’t.