Charges Filed Against DHS Worker Accused Of Drug Possession

A DHS supervisor is in trouble with the law. Authorities began investigating the child welfare worker after drugs were found inside her home in October.

Friday, November 1st 2013, 6:27 pm

By: News 9


A DHS supervisor is in trouble with the law. Authorities began investigating the child welfare worker after drugs were found inside her home in October.

The Pottawatomie County District Attorney filed charges against Bridgette McGarrah on Friday. A warrant has been issued for her arrest.

10/18/2013 Related Story: Pott. County DHS Worker Suspended After Police Find Drugs In Her Home

Bridgette McGarrah managed child welfare cases in the Pottawatomie County Office for five years.

"It's unfortunate that some adults have to get their children involved in their criminal activities, " Pottawtomie County Assistant District Attorney Adam Painter said.

Painter explained McGarrah's children first alerted authorities to problems in their McLoud home.

According to court filings, a fight between McGarrah and her boyfriend Dallas Dawson III concerned the children. When a school employee overheard the youngest child say "her dad was going to kill her mom" the school contacted authorities.

"I don't understand how anybody can be in that role and be so careless with their own children," an anonymous parent who is close to the case commented.

Court records also show deputies were investigating the complaints of domestic abuse inside McGarrah's home when they found syringes and a baggie of methamphetamine.

Both McGarrah and her boyfriend Dawson are now charged with drug possession, something that surprises even prosecutors.

"The fact that anybody, let alone a child welfare supervisor, would be exposing their children to use or possession of methamphetamine," Painter said.

"DHS holds employees to a very high standard and take issues like this very seriously," said Mark Beutler, a DHS spokesperson.

DHS cannot discuss personnel issues but said Bridgette McGarrah remains on suspension with pay while the agency reviews the case.

McGarrah has declined to comment. Dawson could not be reached in time for this report.

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