Law Enforcement
■ April 2 - An officer met with a concerned individual who could not get in contact with their niece. The complainant stated that their niece received financial assistance due to her being unable to work, but because she was not responsible enough for her own finances, the complainant was responsible for handling her Social Security checks. The complainant said their niece is able to live on her own, but she would frequently get evicted.
The complainant had attempted to contact the niece when her Social Security check came in on the first of the month, but they were told that she had been evicted at least a month prior by the manager of her last known residence. The complainant had heard that she had been escorted out by police and asked if the CAPD knew her whereabouts.
The complainant stated that they had not spoken to their niece in two weeks and were no longer able to contact her. The complainant was concerned for their niece's safety, but due to her being an adult and not having a guardianship, she was free to do as she pleased.
The officer spoke to the owner of the hotel that the niece had been escorted to in Abbotsford. The owner stated that they were familiar with the niece, who had checked out on March 3. The hotel owner said the niece was looking for a bus ticket, and the owner assisted her financially with that. The owner stated that she had spoken about going to Georgia and had not heard from her since. They also mentioned that the niece had made comments about wanting nothing to do with the complainant anymore.
An officer more familiar with the niece advised that she had taken a bus to Eau Claire.
The officer informed the complainant that they could not report the niece as a missing person, as she left on her own accord, but a welfare check request would be sent to the surrounding counties, including Eau Claire County. The officer contacted the Eau Claire County Sheriffs Department to see if they had any recent contact with the niece. The officer was told that she was not even in their system. The bus company was also unable to provide any information regarding the niece.
■ April 5 - An officer was dispatched to a Colby residence for a welfare check. The complainant told officers that their ex has not allowed them to have contact with their two children in the last couple months. Upon arrival at the residence, the officer met with the ex, who said they were not surprised. The officer was invited in to meet with the children. The ex told the officer that since the complainant has gotten out of prison, they will call in welfare checks until something else distracts them. The complainant had accused the ex of having unsanitaiy living conditions, and that the residence was filled with mold and the children were eating moldy food. The ex stated that they had changed their and the children’s phone numbers, but told the complainant that they were free to write to them, since the complainant knew where they lived, and to schedule a time to see the children.
The officer saw no concern for the children’s safety in the residence. It was clean and the ex was in the process of baking fresh food for the children. The officer told the ex it was their decision if they wanted the children to call the complainant or not, and advised that they will contact them if the complainant calls in future welfare checks.
