You will want to know immediately what happened and why it matters. A woman allegedly posed as a child services worker and tried to remove a 9-year-old from a babysitter’s home, then called 911 to get deputies involved — authorities arrested her at the scene. This account answers the main question: officials say the suspect impersonated a Department of Children and Families employee and attempted an emergency removal, which led to charges including attempted kidnapping.
The piece breaks down how the incident unfolded, how investigators responded, and what charges the suspect faces, while also examining the impact on the child’s family and the wider community. Expect factual details about the confrontation, the arrest, and the legal aftermath, plus what this case means for trust in child welfare procedures.
Details of the Attempted Kidnapping
Two women showed up at a home where a babysitter watched four children and one woman later claimed to be a child welfare worker. The encounter escalated after the babysitter refused to hand over a 9-year-old, and a 911 call brought deputies who arrested one suspect.
How the Incident Unfolded
Deputies responded around 3:22 p.m. to a residence in the 2800 block of Eight Iron Drive after a caller requested law-enforcement help to remove children. The babysitter told deputies she was caring for four children when two women began knocking at the front door and window.
One woman identified herself as a Department of Children and Families caseworker and said she was there to take the 9-year-old to his mother. The babysitter repeatedly refused to surrender the child and asked the women to leave. The woman who claimed to be a caseworker then threatened to remove all the children and made a phone call saying she would be working late because she was “finding homes” for the children.
Role of Nicole Terry Thomas
Nicole Terry Thomas is the 56-year-old woman charged in the incident. Thomas allegedly claimed DCF employment to the babysitter and, according to a probable cause affidavit, failed to present any identification or employment proof when asked. Investigators say she told the child’s mother—who has mental disabilities—that she could help the mother regain custody by working through the agency.
When deputies confronted Thomas, she reportedly admitted impersonating a DCF agent. Charges filed against her include multiple counts of attempted first-degree kidnapping, committing a criminal act under color of law, trespass after warning, misuse of the 911 system, and unarmed burglary of an occupied dwelling.
Police Response and Arrest
Polk County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrived quickly after the 911 call and spoke with the babysitter and the mother. Deputies detained Thomas and took her into custody at the scene; another woman’s involvement was noted but Thomas faced the primary criminal allegations. Sheriff’s office records show Thomas was held without bond pending a pretrial hearing scheduled for Feb. 19.
The sheriff’s office highlighted that Thomas even called 911 to try to involve deputies in the scheme, which led investigators to treat the incident as an attempted kidnapping and impersonation of a government employee. Arrest and charge details came from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office release and related affidavits.
Investigation and Charges
Authorities say a 56-year-old woman was arrested after deputies responded to a call about an attempt to remove a child from a home. Investigators allege the suspect identified herself as a child services worker, refused to leave when asked, and later admitted impersonating an agency employee.
Misuse of 911 and Law Enforcement Involvement
Police allege the woman called 911 herself to request deputy assistance to remove children from the residence. Deputies from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office responded to the 3:22 p.m. call and found the babysitter refusing to surrender a 9-year-old. Investigators say the caller identified herself as the person making the request and told dispatch she was there to take the child.
The complaint notes the caller did not present any official credentials when asked, and deputies quickly determined the situation did not involve an authorized child welfare removal. Law enforcement arrested the woman at the scene after interviews and statements suggested the 911 call was used to facilitate the attempted removal.
Impersonation of a Government Employee
Detectives allege the woman told the babysitter she worked for a child welfare agency and claimed she was there to pick up the 9-year-old and re-unify him with his mother. The babysitter reportedly asked for proof of employment and was refused. According to the sheriff’s office, the suspect later admitted to posing as an employee when confronted by deputies.
Impersonating a government official carries separate criminal exposure because it aims to deceive victims and coerce compliance. Prosecutors charged the suspect with counts linked to acting under color of law, reflecting the alleged use of fake authority to attempt to take the child.
Unarmed Burglary Allegations
Officers charged the woman with unarmed burglary of an occupied dwelling for entering or attempting to enter the property with the intent to commit a crime. Deputies say she and an accomplice knocked on the door and windows, and one person reportedly went onto the driveway and made phone calls about removing children.
The charge reflects allegations that the defendant knowingly entered or remained on the property after being told to leave. Because the residence was occupied and children were present, the unarmed burglary count carries enhanced seriousness beyond a simple trespass allegation.
Criminal Record and Court Proceedings
Court records identify the suspect as Nicole Terry Thomas, age 56, who is being held without bond on multiple charges. Booking reports and the probable cause affidavit list attempted first-degree kidnapping counts in addition to impersonation-related charges, misuse of 911, trespass after warning, and unarmed burglary.
She has a scheduled pretrial hearing and faces potential felony penalties if convicted. The Polk County Sheriff’s Office released details of the arrest in a public statement, and prosecutors will determine formal filing and sentencing options as the case advances through the local court system.
Impacts on the Family and Community
The incident left the child’s immediate caregivers shaken and prompted neighbors and local agencies to review safety routines and reporting channels. Concerns focused on verifying identities, documenting interactions, and ensuring rapid police notification when strangers claim official roles.
Involvement of the Child’s Mother
The mother faced immediate emotional shock and logistical demands after the attempted abduction. She needed to reassure her child, review who had authorized access to the child, and update written permissions for caregivers and relatives.
She also coordinated with the babysitter and spoke with responding officers from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office to provide statements and any relevant contact lists. That interaction established a police record that can help in any prosecution and in future safety planning.
Practically, she changed routine drop-off and pick-up instructions, provided the babysitter with a photo ID list of approved adults, and started keeping a written log of visitors. These steps aim to reduce ambiguity about who is allowed to remove or collect the child.
Babysitter’s Actions and Preventative Measures
The babysitter’s quick refusal to release the child and immediate call to law enforcement prevented the situation from escalating. She verified the woman’s claims, asked for identification, and, when the ID seemed suspicious, prioritized the child’s safety over confrontation.
Afterward, the babysitter worked with the mother to formalize safety rules: never let anyone into the home without prior parental authorization, require official ID to be photographed for later verification, and call 911 before engaging further if someone claims to be from a child welfare agency. She also documented the incident with a time-stamped note and any photos or video she had, which proved useful to investigators.
Local childcare providers were advised to rehearse refusal scripts and have emergency contacts readily accessible. These practical measures reduce hesitation during a real threat and create clear evidence for responding officers.
Community Awareness and Safety Advice
Neighbors reacted by sharing the incident details in community groups and neighborhood chats to warn parents and babysitters. That communication encouraged households to confirm procedures for verifying officials and to share contact information for the Polk County Sheriff’s Office and local child welfare agencies.
Community safety recommendations included: keep a visible list of approved adults; install doorbell cameras; train caregivers to ask for a caller’s name, agency phone number, and badge number, then call the agency directly; and report suspicious approaches immediately to 911. Faith-based groups and schools were urged to distribute a short checklist for verifying identity and handling unsolicited visits.
Polk County Sheriff’s Office spokespeople emphasized that legitimate child welfare workers will produce verifiable ID and often coordinate with parents beforehand, and they instructed residents to call law enforcement rather than engage alone when someone attempts to remove a child.
More from Decluttering Mom:
