‘A persistent crisis’: the 16 children removed from an Ohio family are part of a statewide issue

Police tape surrounds the home where authorities say they removed 16 children and arrested four adults in Hamden, Ohio, on 1 July. Photograph: Carolyn Kaster/AP

In June 2025, Jody Walker stood in front of Ohio lawmakers at a senate finance committee meeting in Columbus. As the head of South Central Ohio Job and Family Services, he was desperate for help.

“I have been a county director since 1999, yet I have not seen such a challenging time in the child welfare system as I do today,” he said, “specifically in terms of the needs of our children.”