Waterbury
posted
Dec 13, 2012
On Dec. 5, the Vermont Department of Children and Families (DCF)
and the Vermont State Police (VSP) discussed growing concerns about
a series of suspicious incidents that have transpired related to
suspects impersonating DCF employees.
On Oct. 29, the Vermont State Police received a report from the
St. Johnsbury area in which a Caucasian female came to a residence
at the Mountain View Apartments saying she was a DCF worker and was
investigating a report of child abuse. The female suspect was
granted access to the home; she inspected the child and left the
premises without further incident. The female suspect was seen
operating silver sedan, unknown make, model, or registration.
On Dec. 1, the Lyndonville Police Department received a report
in Lyndonville on Valley Lane that three woman (one African
American and two Caucasian) came to the home claiming to be from
"Human Services" (or "Home Health") and said they were "following
up on a report that was made up the road." The male resident said
the suspects inquired after the female resident, who was not home.
When the female resident was not home, they left the premises
without further incident. The suspects failed to show any
identification and never exited their vehicle, which was described
as a dark blue Ford Escape with New York plates.
On Dec. 3, the Vermont State Police received a report in
Sunderland that three people (one female and two males) showed up
at a residence on Phyller Dee Lane. The suspects advised the
grandmother that the child's parents were under investigation by
"child protection services." The suspects asked to search the
residence and actually picked up the child for
inspection. When the grandmother resisted their advances, the
suspects insinuated that they may be back to take the child into
custody and the child could go into foster care. The suspects then
became nervous and left in two vehicles, one grey sedan and one
maroon sedan, bearing unknown plates.
In all of these instances, there is no known active
investigation by DCF involving the targeted families.
These incidents are under investigation by detectives with the
VSP Bureau of Criminal Investigation. If anyone has information
related to these incidents or suspects, please call the Vermont
State Police at the St. Johnsbury Barracks (802-748-3111) or the
Shaftsbury Barracks (802-442-5421). To submit an anonymous tip,
send a text to "CRIMES" (274637) with keyword: VTIPS; or submit
your anonymous tip online at www.vtips.info.
Investigators, in conjunctions with DCF, want families to be
aware of the follow safety precautions:
• All DCF employees have identification badges
that they carry with them during official business.
• Citizens are encouraged to ask to have this
identification produced to verify the employee.
• DCF workers cannot take emergency custody of a
child without a court order.
• If someone claims to have a court order to take
custody of a child, ask to see the court document.
• If you suspect someone is impersonating a DCF
employee, call 911 immediately.
