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Deputies: Woman Charged with Assaulting CPS Worker Save Email Print
Posted: 11:07 AM Feb 29, 2008
 Last Updated: 11:13 AM Feb 29, 2008
 Reporter: Anna Baxter
Email Address: anna.baxter@wsaz.com
47 comments Photos
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A woman from Sissonville faces criminal charges after she tried to attack a child protective service worker and a Kanawha County Sheriff's Deputy.

It happened Thursday night at 549 Wolf Pen Drive in Sissonville.

Deputies say during a CPS follow up home visit, Dena Bowles tried to punch the CPS worker, but a neighbor stopped her.

After Bowles was arrested deputies say she kicked and tried to punch the deputy that was booking her.

No one was hurt, but Bowles now faces several charges including assault and obstructing an officer.
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Posted by: BILINDA on Apr 22, 2008 at 03:44 AM
I BOW TO THIS WOMEN WHO TRIED TO PUNCH HER CPS WORKER ,TO BAD SHE NOW HAS TO BE CHARGED CPS SUCKS THANK YOU MIS KNOCK CPS OUT
Posted by: Anonymous on Mar 5, 2008 at 07:39 PM
The rude comment about CPS workers being overweight is ridiculous. Over half of West Virginians are overweight and I am not sure which CPS workers you are talking about but several of them I have worked with are thin and very attractive!!
Posted by: Anonymous on Mar 5, 2008 at 07:35 PM
I can not believe the stupidity of people. People want to bash CPS workers for doing their job. I am a social worker that has worked with many CPS workers(who are also social workers) over the past years. They have the most difficult job. They deal with people who are on drugs, violent, mentally ill and violent. They put their own life in danger to protect innocent children. They have saved many children from death, rape, beating, burns, starvation, and about anything else you can imagine. I don't know very many people who would be brave enough to risk their own life doing their job. These people work unbelieveable hours(day and night). Have you people not heard of the child death that took place in this area not long ago. Yes, people do abuse and neglect their children. Have you ever had to go out in the middle of the night to help a child that is bleeding from rape, black and blue with bruising from a beating, intentional burns to their bodies, or a dead baby that starved??
Posted by: Alisha on Mar 4, 2008 at 02:10 PM
Are some of you serious?! You're like patting this woman on the back for assaulting a CPS worker? The worker was only trying to do their job. OMG! no wonder W.Va. has one of the highest child abuse/neglect deaths in the U.S. Some of you would like to keep right on beating,raping and neglecting your kids and not get caught! Shame on you.
Posted by: g on Mar 3, 2008 at 06:20 PM
cps workers are a good idea but should be trained alot better,not asume it is the way someone says.A mad wife or husband just trying to get even.telling lies be, be honest don,t hurt the kids if you can,t make together leave.don,t down each other to the kids , don,t take it out on the kids.In the long run the kids pay not you.
Posted by: Not really funny. on Mar 3, 2008 at 03:31 PM
Sad situation all around. No joking about it or making fun of the people involved. There but for the grace of God, go you.
Posted by: Anonymous on Mar 2, 2008 at 08:12 PM
you know sometimes CPS helps you out, even when you really don't need them in your life. my son developed a sist behind his eye, it was seen on a trip to the er for the flu, Thank GOD! they assured me this was not cancer forming or life threating, i did not have a car at this time, but the Marshall Pedi. Dr. insisted i took my son to see a eye doctor in Charleston! i made it clear that i had no means of transportation or family to get me to appointments.i went to a couple visits just to make sure he was ok, there was no problem with his eye what so ever! i was referred to another dr. in Charleston for surgery, i stopped seeing the eye dr. so she called CPS on me and said my child was going to die and i wasn't taking him to his appt., the CPS worker came in my house with an attitude, she was telling me i didnt care about my childs life, i was so mad i couldn't do anything but cry, i'm a good mother and i luv my kids..that really bothered me, only way they coulda helped is buy a car!
Posted by: A on Mar 2, 2008 at 12:19 AM
If you dont like what the cps does in your area, go to school and become one and change things in your area.When you learn all the rules and regulations they have to do then u will understand..People who go into this field do not do it for the money they do it to save lives of children..Stop complaining and do something about it..
Posted by: Not a cps worker on Mar 1, 2008 at 10:29 PM
Dhhr works really hard and is not given enough credit. This lady obviously doesn't want her kids or else she wouldn't have acted in such a manner. Her actions just go to show you that she is an out of control person and no child needs to be in her care until she gets the help she needs.
Posted by: Roscoe on Mar 1, 2008 at 08:12 PM
I dont know Dena Bowles, but she may have been provoked. When my ex and I divorced we were plagued with social workers and they can be very annoying. When they get a phone call they respond and try to take over. They seem to love lies and dont listen to both sides. I would say, give this woman a chance to explain. There are two sides to everything, and we all have a breaking point, some have more tolerance than others. And the reason some people resort to violence is because they have nobody to turn to for help. If you complain about a social worker you get run-a-rounds and it is best to try to avoid any and all contact. I know of several cases they chose to OVERLOOK because they were afraid of certain family members. They only run over the ones they know wont hurt them.
Posted by: travis on Mar 1, 2008 at 07:52 PM
she looks like that serial killer eileen wournos, omg!!!
Posted by: Anonymous on Mar 1, 2008 at 07:34 PM
she looks really mean.
Posted by: karli on Mar 1, 2008 at 07:12 PM
maybe that will learn those nosy social workers..lol
Posted by: anonymous on Mar 1, 2008 at 07:07 PM
By reading these comments it is obvious that many people are completely ignorant in regards to CPS policy and abuse and neglect law. You can access policy on the DHHR website. You can access Chapter 49 on the Supreme Court website. Any person can call in a CPS referral on anyone else. CPS is required by law to investigate that complaint. No one can tell if a complaint is false until it is investigated. Even complaints called in on CPS workers are investigated. They are however sent to other counties to prevent any inappropriateness. Further, all CPS workers are college graduates of a 4 year degree program. They are also required to be licensed social workers. They complete 4 months of training prior to ever taking any case or doing any investigation. CPS workers typically make unannounced home visits. However, that is not always possible due to circumstance. Also, unless under a policy exception, they are required to make two home visits. Its the laws that are the problem.
Posted by: Anonymous on Mar 1, 2008 at 05:36 PM
I have seen CPS remove children from the home only to have them returned by the judge. Why won't the judge let the kids be present in the hearing after all it is about their safety. You take pictures of bruises of the childs back that occurred less than a month of being returned to the home and still the kids remain in the unsafe environment. This particular case, the children had four different workers because everyone seems to keep getting promotions to supervisor. Another classic case of too many chiefs and not enough indians.
Posted by: jean on Mar 1, 2008 at 02:05 PM
CPS workers are a overworked and underpaid group that only try to do a job that no one else wants. The woman obviously had some major issues ( drugs, alcohol?) or she wouldn't have attacked a deputy sheriff as she was being booked for the previous attack. Someone who reacts like that has definite problems and her parenting skills are less than desireable. They were only doing their jobs and all the violence was uncalled for. The woman is where she needs to be (in jail) and I only hope the children, who are the real victims, are now safe.
Posted by: D on Mar 1, 2008 at 11:54 AM
It does not matter if CPS is in the wrong or not. This person tried to attack the CPS worker. That is just plain WRONG! Practice some restraint and join an anger management group. Nobody..nobody should attack someone else under ANY circumstances!!!
Posted by: Becca on Mar 1, 2008 at 10:47 AM
Are you people kidding me?? Just because the person who would have been assaulted, had it not been for the neighbor, is a CPS worker, you don't think Ms. Bowles should have been arrested. I'm sure people have had a bad experience with a lot of different governmental departments but that doesn't mean that department doesn't do a good and worthwhile job. Consider the families who really ARE abusing their children and CPS goes in and saves them from what could be fatal surroundings. We then want to pat the CPS investigators on the back. There are no doubt false allegations made but when a CPS worker comes to your house, he or she is only doing their job. They have no way of knowing it was a false report until they visit and see for themselves. If you have nothing to hide then don't sweat it. They aren't going to take your kids away without just cause. God help us all.
Posted by: Anonymous on Mar 1, 2008 at 10:14 AM
One thing I never understand is when people get CPS called on them is WHY CPS calls the parent & TELLS them they are coming on such & such day. Why not surprise them? When they call ahead, they give the person time to clean the house, coerce the kids in what to say etc. I think they should just show up announced.My friend had ALL of us (her friends etc )there to "vouch" for her. Which was good b/c she wasnt guilty of anything anyway, but still why announce they are coming?
Posted by: Gene on Feb 29, 2008 at 10:23 PM
CPS Rocks! I know they work hard and have good hearts. Their job is not an easy one and they are at risk every time they knock on a door. Give those hard working men and women a break. They are trying to keep our children safe!
Posted by: Concerned on Feb 29, 2008 at 10:10 PM
Social workers have a very demanding job and they receive next to no credit for the good they do. They put their personal safety at risk on a daily basis. I agree the system doesn't work like it should. But the blame for that does not lie with CPS workers. Each report must be investigated. Just like with any job, you have good employees and bad ones. But to label everyone as bad because of a few bad experiences is not fair. And what would happen to thousands of WV children each year if each case weren't taken seriously?
Posted by: anonymous on Feb 29, 2008 at 10:07 PM
WAS THE CPS WORKER called to this home?What was this about afer the CPS WORKER got there? SOME CPS & State Case Workers have been known to lie in some cases! They also should be HELD RESPONISIBLE if it is PROVEN! Do they do Back Ground Checks on CPS and CASE workers before they hire them? After all they are dealing with a Human Lifes! It is best to have other people or someone present when you deal with some of these workers,at an office or in your home to hear what is said. It can be a one sided thing,if you don't! Comment on things you know in dealing with some of these workers. I'm sure others would like to hear your stories!
Posted by: I care on Feb 29, 2008 at 10:06 PM
If they were doing a follow-up visit, there must have been something there to cause concern. Everyone on here that is putting down CPS apparently don't realize just how much abuse goes on and when they get reports everyone claims they're innocent. I'm sure they've never had anyone to come out and admit it. People don't want to give their names because due to the laws, their names will be given in the complaint. Think of all the abuse tips that would not be reported. There aren't enough reports made as it it. Abuse is at an all time high. Every time I go out into public I witness something and I think to myself, if they treat their children like this in public, how do they treat them at home behind closed doors. Unfortunately, there are false reports made that they have to check out, but there are far more reports made that have some validity. And no, I am not a CPS worker, I would not be able to sleep at night if I had to witness what they have to on a daily basis!
Posted by: rukiddinme on Feb 29, 2008 at 08:17 PM
Are you people serious? If she attacked someone then maybe she has some issues she needs to work out. I am glad to hear they did a follow up visit. Our children deserve everything we can do to help them when they need it. I am sure there are some false accusations, but I am just as sure they are not all false. Think about the children who really need CPS> They don't deserved to be attacked. I have never had to deal with anything like this but I hope the Mom and children get help. I believe children belong with their parents and if there are problems I am glad to know CPS is there to help out or get a child out of a bad situation.
Posted by: Can you say anger issues????? on Feb 29, 2008 at 07:56 PM
CPS is the gestapo? You people have to be kidding me! I'm sure that there a small amount of false claims filed, but what about the children that need to be removed from a home? This woman obviously has an anger problem, and how stupid are you to hit someone in front of a cop. And how stupid can you be to try and hit the cop???? I wish CPS could take children away from parents that are stupid, and give them a chance.
Posted by: Someone who cares on Feb 29, 2008 at 06:51 PM
I am amazed at the comments made by what I will assume is adults. CPS is the only protection a lot of children have. However, CPS workers are human and just like many of us they make mistakes, but they are over worked and underpaid. I would not be so quick to judge them until you have walked a mile in their shoes. People want to complain when I tragedy involving a child occurs, and then the same people want to complain when CPS is doing their job?!!! You cannot have it both ways!!! I agree with protecting a child first, and worry about the parents later. Kudos to CPS!!!!!
Posted by: ME on Feb 29, 2008 at 05:59 PM
If there isn't anything to hide in the home then why not just let the CPS worker do their job and they'll be on their way...
Posted by: Daniel on Feb 29, 2008 at 05:28 PM
Here is the deal people,as much as I agree with your comments on CPS being overweight boneheads.The truth is we have got to have these people simple because of the drug addicted parents out there who would rather get high than feed their kids.So to put it simple,without CPS these kids would have no hope or chance at a future.True enough they mess with the wrong families 99% of the time- However it is a small price to pay for the 1% of little children who really need our help,after all we through taxes pay there salaries.So let's keep things in perspective.This story really has no information at all in it,I would like to know why she went off on them.If they tell us about a follow up visit why noy tell what set her off???
Posted by: Carlos on Feb 29, 2008 at 05:26 PM
Trash is as trash does. 'Nuff said.
Posted by: Charlie on Feb 29, 2008 at 04:40 PM
Turn her loose!
Posted by: Beth on Feb 29, 2008 at 04:25 PM
It seems to me that since this was a follow up visit that it wasnt just from someone calling in a lie, since when do they come back twice over nothing. Maybe she didnt improve the situation and thats why they got into it.
Posted by: Anonymous on Feb 29, 2008 at 03:44 PM
I think that to agree that anyone should be attacked is awful and a little insensitive. CPS is a job, one that most take seriously. They do it because they care about kids and their well being. If a child dies because the parents don't take care of them, then CPS is blamed for not doing their job. All allegations have to be checked into, rather they be false or not. It's better to be safe than sorry and if nothing is found, no child is at risk, then that family has nothing to worry about. However, if something is found would you rather that CPS was cautious or just let it go and a child looses their life. And about the comment where all CPS workers are overweight and investigate children that are overweight, most CPS workers are grown. They don't have to worry about being made fun of by other kids, childhood diabetes, asthma that prevents them from being just a normal healthy child, or any other childhood illnesses or problems that might occure. Bottom line, CPS is necessary.
Posted by: Kevin on Feb 29, 2008 at 03:27 PM
CPS workers think they can barge in and are above the law!
Posted by: EX CPS worker on Feb 29, 2008 at 03:23 PM
CPS workers are are a joke....let them open up their Home and let us see how they raise thier family.....I bet it isn't by the book......
Posted by: CPS worker/ OH on Feb 29, 2008 at 03:09 PM
The more kids That are in States Custody The more money.... Most CPS workers are jerks and don't have any kids of there own. Do the research and see if I'm not right.
Posted by: Anonymous on Feb 29, 2008 at 02:27 PM
I use to work at a level 4 lockdown for adolescents and I can tell you, it is far more common for kids to be returned to unsafe homes then for them to be removed. You can't have it both ways, filing charges when a child that wasn't removed ends up dead or badly injured and if they don't complaining CPS is intervening for no reason. There was no excuse for her becoming that violent, and she certainly tainted her credibility showing she's out of control.
Posted by: Anonymous on Feb 29, 2008 at 02:02 PM
I don't have much faith in CPS either and have even less faith in the judges that put the kids back into violile situations. But that does not give the person the right to be violent like that. What does that say to the cps worker? Is the child safe with this explosive behavior in the home?
Posted by: leslie on Feb 29, 2008 at 01:36 PM
CPS is a good idea in theory. But in reality it is mostly a joke. There are some good people who really care about what they are doing and some who dont. Did you see the story where the 4 girls had been dead for like 3 months when their bodies were found in the home with their mother? CPS was supposed to be helping them. What about all of the foster children who get killed by their foster families and no one knows for months? And, does anyone know why they were doing a follow-up at her home? Is this a case of kids needing to be looked after or someone just sending them out there for spite? Are there laws about when CPS needs to step in? We need more background and info on this one!
Posted by: Debbie on Feb 29, 2008 at 01:35 PM
whatever CPS was doing there, this lady didn't help her case by attacking the worker and a sheriff, that's just dumb.
Posted by: good job cps on Feb 29, 2008 at 01:18 PM
well i think the cps does a good job here in ashland ,they just expect you to do whats best for the kids,sounds like this women have some problems ,she needs to deal with before she can handle kids.
Posted by: anonymous on Feb 29, 2008 at 01:16 PM
It is not CPS's fault if someone files a false referral on you.They have a hard job to do, and if they take children, they have evidence. These cases go through court, with judge and attorneys, so it is not just a CPS worker's decision. They are criticized for taking children without reason, and also blamed when they don't remove children and a tragedy happens. I think the woman should also be chargd for assaulting the CPS worker.
Posted by: k on Feb 29, 2008 at 01:07 PM
Say what you want to try to defend her actions, but she clearly was in violation of the law. Trying to punch, hit, or kick someone is against the law no matter who it is. If she didn't like what this person was saying or doing to her, she should have tried a different approach. I deal with people every day that try to provoke me to anger, so please don't say I don't know the whole story. We all need to take responsibility for our own actions.
Posted by: gene on Feb 29, 2008 at 12:13 PM
she should not be arrested. the cps in nothing short of the gestapo. all are overweight and complain about overweight childred. their idea or the perfect family is for the children to be in state's custody
Posted by: Doesn't matter on Feb 29, 2008 at 11:56 AM
I totally agree that the anonymous hotline that CPS has is a joke. I've had someone call CPS on me because I was dating their exboyfried and so she decided she would call and make up all these ridiculous charges on me all out of spite. These people never get in trouble. They not only wasted my time and caused me embarrassment but wasted tax dollars for the CPS people that could have been spending their time on something that was an actual valid case. I don't blame this woman. There should be repercussions for the parties that call in lies.
Posted by: Anonymous on Feb 29, 2008 at 11:50 AM
CPS is a joke. because when i needed them they wasn't there. but they was there when the others side called. Know my child has alot of problems due to CPS not doing there job.
Posted by: MS on Feb 29, 2008 at 11:29 AM
I just wonder what CPS was doing there for the follo-up visit. I've seen CPS go to people's houses and try to take their kids on false information. I think we need to hear the other side of the story.
Posted by: charlene on Feb 29, 2008 at 11:28 AM
I dont know the story here,but cps is about a joke anyways. i seen the other day where they are passing a law against people who file bogus child abuse charges on people and are going to arrest them for it..in my opinion they need to do the same to people who file false statements to cps. someone done this to me, just out of spite because they thought they were funny. i believe they should have to say who they are, so they can be arrested for the same thing.
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