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Hancock County Prosecutor Silent After Confidential CPS Case Script Discovered Publicly at Local Fairgrounds

HANCOCK COUNTY - Allegations of gross negligence have surfaced against Hancock County Child Protective Services (CPS) after a highly confidential case document was reportedly discovered abandoned in a public area at the Hancock County Fairgrounds. The Ohio Register has submitted a formal request for comment to the Hancock County Prosecutor's Office regarding potential statutory violations, but county officials have not responded as of Tuesday.

The controversy stems from a viral social media post detailing the discovery of an unredacted "Sheltercare Questions" script near the fairground grandstands. The document, prepared for an agency caseworker, contained sensitive medical histories and private family details surrounding an emergency event where an infant stopped breathing.

Advocates and residents have expressed alarm over the document's contents, which included a bolded directive instructing the caseworker to "SPILL YOUR GUTS" during court testimony. Citizens are concerned the phrasing indicates that child welfare hearings may be heavily scripted rather than objective fact-finding missions.

In a formal media inquiry sent on Sept. 20, The Ohio Register pressed the Hancock County Prosecutor to clarify if the leak is being handled as a criminal breach of confidentiality or a civil service violation. The email cited potential infractions under Ohio Administrative Code 5101:2-33-21, which mandates strict confidentiality for child welfare records, and Ohio Revised Code Section 2921.44 regarding dereliction of duty.

County officials have not responded to verify the authenticity of the document or acknowledge any ongoing inquiry.

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