WATERBURY (AP) — Police say they have received reports of suspicious people posing as representatives of the Vermont Department of Children and Families (DCF).
State Police spokeswoman Stephanie Dasaro said a woman and two men showed up at a Sunderland residence this past Monday, Dec. 3, and told a grandmother that a child’s parents were under investigation by “child protective services.”
When the grandmother resisted their request to take the child, the imposters insinuated that they may be back to take the child into custody and put the child in foster care. Dasaro said the suspects then became nervous and left in two cars — a grey sedan and a maroon.
The department received an Oct. 29 report of a woman at a St. Johnsbury home who said she was a DCF worker investigating a report of child abuse. She examined the child.
Police in Lyndonville received a Dec. 1 report about three women who went to a home claiming to be from “Human Services” or “Home Health.”
The department is not investigating the targeted families.
Officials 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.