A Lakeland woman is behind bars after deputies say she tried to pass herself off as a Department of Children and Families case manager and take a nine-year-old boy from a local home.
Detectives say 56-year-old Nicole Terry Thomas called 911 on Friday and asked deputies to meet her at a residence so she could remove a child, even though she had no legal authority to do so. Thomas was arrested and booked on multiple felony charges and, after first appearance yesterday, was ordered held without bond on the kidnapping counts.
Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd did not mince words, telling reporters that Thomas "should have known better" and blasting what investigators describe as a scheme to impersonate a government employee to take children, according to Tampa Free Press. Judd said Thomas even called 911 in an apparent attempt to get a deputy to "help her pull it all off," the outlet reported.
How Deputies Say The Plot Fell Apart
Investigators say the incident started around 3:22 p.m. when Thomas called 911 and requested that deputies meet her at a home to remove children from the residence. Authorities say she showed up with the boy’s biological mother, who they note does not have legal custody and has mental disabilities.
Inside the home, 28-year-old Nyasia Brooks was babysitting four children. According to the arrest affidavit, the nine-year-old boy ran inside, clearly scared, while Thomas went around the house knocking on doors and windows. Investigators say Thomas identified herself as a DCF case manager but did not produce any official identification.
Brooks refused to hand over the boy, and the situation did not go the way Thomas allegedly planned.
Charges And Court Dates
Thomas was booked into the sheriff’s processing center on four counts of attempted kidnapping, unarmed burglary of an occupied dwelling, two counts of criminal action under color of law, trespassing and misuse of 911. During her February 15 first appearance, a judge ordered her held without bond on the kidnapping counts and set a pre-trial hearing for February 19, according to Tampa Free Press.
The outlet also reports that Thomas has prior charges that include kidnapping, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, child abuse, fraud and theft.
How To Spot A Fake DCF Worker
Officials are reminding families that real Department of Children and Families workers carry department-issued identification that includes a photo and job title, and may include a verification code. Residents should always ask to see that ID before cooperating with anyone who says they are with DCF, WESH reported.
If there is any doubt about a person’s identity, families are urged to ask for identification and then call local law enforcement or DCF directly to confirm the worker’s credentials, rather than handing a child over to someone they do not know.
Legal Stakes Under Florida Law
Under Florida law, kidnapping is a first-degree felony. Attempted kidnapping and interference with custody also carry felony penalties, with possible sentence enhancements when the victims are children. The statutes outline definitions, penalties and enhancements in detail; see Florida Statutes for the full legal language and maximum sentences.
What Comes Next
Thomas remains in custody ahead of her on Thursday pre-trial hearing. Anyone who has information about the incident or who may have witnessed any part of what happened is asked to contact the Polk County Sheriff’s Office or reach out to Crime Stoppers through the sheriff’s website.
