Smyrna – Smyrna Police Detectives (SPD) are currently investigating an incident involving a male subject identifying himself as “CPS” and telling a resident that he was there to remove their child.
This afternoon, Friday, July 27, 2018, at approximately 2:37, SPD patrol officers responded to the unit block of Harkins Drive where they made contact with a resident. This resident advised that in the last few minutes, a very thin white male, early 30’s, 6’0 tall with brown hair and sunglasses wearing khaki shorts and a white t-shirt knocked on their door.
This male advised that he was from “CPS” and was at the home to remove the children or child from inside. At this time, the resident closed the door and went downstairs to contact Police. While downstairs, the male knocked on their door again. The male then got into a white in color mid-sized four-door sedan (unknown make and model) and fled the area in an unknown direction.
SPD investigators are actively working to solve this case and identify the male described by the resident. It should be noted that no legitimate “CPS” agency exists in Delaware. Any and all state social workers will have proper identification. Any persons who experience anything similar are encouraged to contact their local Police agency to assist in verifying the identity of any case workers. If anyone has information in reference to this case they are encouraged to contact SPD Detective Davis at 302-653-9217, online at www.smyrnapolice.org, or via social media. All tipsters may remain anonymous.
Delaware State Police are investigating a similar incident that occurred on Friday, July 20, 2018, in Dover.
Dover – The Delaware State Police are currently investigating an incident that took place on Friday morning at a Dover area residence in which three suspects claimed to be caseworkers from child protective services, according to Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Michael Austin.
Austin the incident occurred at approximately 11:22 a.m., Friday, July 20, 2018, on South Old Mill Road in Dover, when a female accompanied by two males, made contact with a female resident and advised her that they were from child protective services and needed to check on the welfare of her children.
Neither of the three suspects displayed nor could provide credentials or proof of identification. Austin said the female suspect was in possession of paperwork that contained the child’s name, however, she refused to show it in its entirety to the resident. As the female suspect spoke with the resident, the male suspects, who both wore holstered handguns on their waistbands, proceeded to take photographs of a vehicle parked in the driveway, according to Austin.
The female resident became suspicious and stated that she was going to call the police at which time all three suspects fled. The resident then immediately contacted the Division of Family Services who confirmed that they had not dispatched any caseworkers to her residence.
The suspects were described as follows:
Suspect #1: White female, 30 years of age, wearing a blue suit and operating a white, Nissan sedan.
Suspect #2: Middle aged white male, wearing an all-black button-down shirt.
Suspect #3: Black male, 20 years of age, light complexion, wearing a black short sleeved shirt, black pants and a black baseball cap. Both male suspects fled in a black, Chevrolet Tahoe.
All Delaware Division of Family Services employees will produce an official State of Delaware issued photo ID card when on official business. If necessary you can ask for a supervisors name and then call the DFS hotline at 800-292-9582 to verify the employee’s identity and authenticity of the visit.
Keep in mind that in Delaware this agency is known as DFS or Division of Family Services not CPS (Child Protective Services) as it is known in other states. An actual State of Delaware employee will not identify themselves as being from Child Protective Services.
The investigation is ongoing and anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to call Troop 3 at 302-698-8453. Information may also be provided by calling Delaware crime stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333 or via the internet at http://www.delaware.crimestoppersweb.com
Austin said whether it be an incident similar to this, or any other suspicious or criminal activity, the Delaware State Police would like to stress the importance of suspicious activity reporting. Be a good witness for your neighbors and fellow citizens, as you would want them to do the same for you. Pay attention and be aware to what is going on in your neighborhood, and other places that you frequent throughout the course of your day.