Cleveland Co. deputies issue warning about people claiming to work for the school system

CLEVELAND COUNTY, N.C. — The Cleveland County Sheriff’s Office is warning residents that someone is going to homes claiming to work for the school district.

Investigators said the school system has already reached out to parents after receiving complaints.

Britney Russell and her sister Whitney Russell told Channel 9 that they received taped messages from the Cleveland County School System about a “suspicious person visiting homes claiming to be affiliated with the school system.”

Both women have children in the school district and said they are now taking precautions.

“I would actually turn them away, to be honest. To me, it’s kind of scary for them to come to your house and be part of the school system,” Britney Russell said.

“It did make me kind of concerned about what was going on. Me being the parent that I am … if anyone comes to my house unannounced, I don’t open my door for them,” Whitney Russell said.

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With the first day of school less than two weeks away, Deborah Williams said she is making sure her fourth-grade granddaughter is ready and safe.

“They won’t get in my house,” Willimas said. “I called my neighbor and made her aware of it. I just think it’s lowdown for someone to do that.”

Deputies told Channel 9′s Dave Faherty that they questioned someone in the Town of Lawndale on Friday. The person said they were selling books but failed to tell others that he worked for the school system.

Captain Jody Seagle “You’re allowed to visit homes, until the homeowner or the person in charge there doesn’t want you there, and ask you to leave. But certainly, you can’t be portraying yourself as a school system employee when you’re not,” Captain Jody Seagle explained.

The Cleveland County Sheriff’s Office is encouraging everyone to call them immediately if someone comes to their door acting suspicious or claiming they work for the school system.

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