Through Jeroslyn JoVonn
February 19, 2026
A Florida woman is being held without bond after allegedly trying to kidnap a child from a babysitter’s home while posing as a DCF agent.
A Florida woman posing as an employee of the Department of Children and Families (DCF) was arrested after attempting to “remove” a 9-year-old boy from a babysitter’s home.
Nicole Terry Thomas, 56, was arrested Friday, February 13, in connection with an alleged kidnapping attempt at a home in Lakeland, Florida, Click Orlando reports. Police said they responded after Thomas himself called 911 and requested a deputy’s help in removing the children from the home.
“The caller identified herself as Thomas, and she claimed to be a DCF employee,” the sheriff’s office said. “According to witness statements, Thomas arrived with the victim’s biological mother and approached the home, where a woman was babysitting four children.”
Officers said they were responding to a dispute involving Thomas, who arrived at the home with the boy’s biological mother — a woman with documented mental health issues. who doesn’t have custody – and the babysitter who takes care of the children. Police said the child alerted the babysitter that “DCF was outside with his mother and was trying to remove him from the home.”
Police say Thomas allegedly threatened to remove all the children from the home if the babysitter refused to hand over the 9-year-old child. Authorities also allege she called and said she would have to work late because she planned to find a new home for the children she wanted to remove from the home.
“At no time did Ms. Thomas present a DCF business card or proof of employment when requested,” the affidavit said.
During questioning, the boy’s biological mother told detectives she knew Thomas through their church and claimed Thomas said she worked for DCF and could help get her life “back on track.”
Thomas was later arrested and charged with unarmed burglary of an unoccupied dwelling, trespassing, misuse of 911, two counts of criminal action under color of law and four counts of attempted kidnapping. She is being held without bond. Police also noted a prior criminal history, including kidnapping, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, battery, child abuse and multiple fraud and theft-related crimes.
RELATED CONTENT: MacArthur Fellow Dorothy Roberts committed to exposing racial inequities in child welfare services
#Florida #woman #posing #DCF #agent #arrested #attempted #kidnapping