For the second time in recent weeks, police are warning of individuals claiming to be from Richland County Children Services who have approached Mansfield residents in their homes and attempted to gain entry. The full news release from the Mansfield Police is as follows:
On Tuesday at approximately 1620 hours [4:20 PM], the Mansfield Division of Police responded to the 1700 block of Middle-Bellville Road in reference to three individuals claiming to be from Richland County Children Services (RCCS). The two white females and one white male advised the resident that they needed to come inside her home and speak to her about an open case she had with their agency. The resident became suspicious as the blue lanyard holding their photo ID’s did not look right and they had no other identifying paperwork to confirm their identities.
When the resident questioned them about their photo ID, they advised “it was the new look” of RCCS.
The resident denied the three individuals entry into her home and they left the area in a dark blue Toyota SUV/Crossover. The resident was not able to get a license plate number but did advise the plate was not a government type of plate as it did not have the red letters. The vehicle was not located.
This is the second report taken report by our agency concerning unknown persons claiming to be from Richland County Children Services and attempting to gain access into homes. The first incident occurred in the area of Sycamore and W. 3rd Street on October 14 and involved two white females who came to a residence claiming to be from “Children’s Services” and attempted to gain entry into the home.
The resident at that address then confronted the two women about not being from Children Services at which time the two women left the area. We believe these two incidents are related. Richland County Children Services was contacted each time and advised that no one from their agency had been to those addresses.
The actions of these individuals are alarming and we are asking for the public’s assistance in identifying them. Their given descriptions are below. As always, if someone cannot display proper identification and/or they are acting in such a way as to make you question their identity or make you feel uncomfortable, do not allow them in your home and call police immediately. If anyone has information on their identities or may have security video footage of these individuals, please contact Lt. Rob Skropits of Major Crimes at (419) 755-9755.
Subject #1: White Female; Long hair Brown Hair; Glasses; 30’s
Subject #2 White Female; Shorter Blond Hair; 30’s
Subject #3 White Male; Red Shirt/Khakis; Glasses; Older
