Recently, there was a kidnapping in Canton when a woman falsely identified herself as a children services worker to gain entry into a home to abduct a baby.  The kidnapper went to the home of the new mother and advised that she was there to check on the baby and had “paperwork” that she was to remove the children.

The mother called the children services office after the kidnapper took the baby and was told there was no information that a worker from their agency was there to take her children.  The police were then involved, and the child was fortunately found in another county unharmed.

Just recently, a local woman received a call advising her that her children were going to be removed and she must go to the Tuscarawas County JFS to discuss this situation immediately. She did present at the agency immediately, showing staff that the number on her caller ID was Tuscarawas County Job & Family Services phone number, but there was no situation occurring with her family and JFS.  This incident was also reported to the authorities.

This is not the first time this has happened.  Kidnappers will use this tactic, so please be aware and verify the identities and the agencies of anyone who comes to your house.  Anyone from Tuscarawas County Child Protective Services should have a badge and will allow and encourage you to make the appropriate calls to verify their identities and the agency they work with.  Our agency works closely with the local families when there is a situation, as well as other local agencies who may be involved.  If there is any doubt on who is coming to your door, make the appropriate contact calls to verify who they say they are before you let them in.

The phone number for Tuscarawas County Job & Family Services is 330-339-7791.  The hours are Monday – Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.  If you are unable to contact the agency during those hours, and this is a call concerning children services, you can also call the sheriff’s office at 330-339-2000, as they have access 24 hours a day to an on-call worker from Child Protective Services.