Pott. County DHS Worker Suspended After Police Find Drugs In Her Home

A child welfare supervisor is under investigation after authorities say they found drugs inside her home. Pottawatomie County Sheriff's reports indicate that complaints of domestic violence in the home actually led deputies to the discovery on October 4, 2013.

Bridgette McGarrah supervised caseworkers in the child welfare system for the last five years in the Pottawatomie County Office. She has been suspended with pay while DHS handles matter.

A concerned parent asked to remain anonymous but is hoping to protect children by offering insight to the case.

"DHS workers know the rules, know what to do, know what not to do, she was well aware of what she was doing," the parent said.

According to a report from the Pottawatomie County Sheriff's Office, a fight between Mcgarrah and her boyfriend Dallas Dawson concerned her children.

When a school employee heard the youngest child say "her dad was going to kill her mom," the school contacted authorities.

"It was overheard telling another student. I think she was more scared and concerned than anything," said Pottawatomie County Undersheriff Travis Palmer.

Palmer said a bus driver did the right thing by contacting authorities. Deputies say they went to McGarrah's home in a rural part of Mcloud to investigate the claims. Reports show syringes and a baggie of meth were found inside the house.

At least one child from the home is now in protective custody and both McGarrah and Dawson are now listed as suspects in a drug possession case.

"I don't understand how anybody can be in that role and be so careless with their own children," a confidential source said.

DHS cannot discuss personnel issues. The state agency did acknowledge McGarrah's has been currently removed from her duties. As a Child Welfare Specialist IV, the duties can include managing caseloads and removing children from potentially dangerous homes.

In a statement, Mark Beutler, a DHS spokesperson said,

" DHS holds our employees to a very high standard and we take issues like this very seriously."

The concerned parent feels Mcgarrah should lose her and face criminal charges.

"If her judgment is that bad in her own life, then how bad has it been in the lives of the other people that she affected," the parent said.

At last check, Mcgarrah and Dawson have not been arrested. Undersheriff Palmer said reports have been presented to the Pottawatomie County District Attorney to consider charges. The DA's office received the report on earlier this week and it has not yet been assigned.

Mcgarrah declined to comment on the case. Dawson could not be reached in time for this report.