Police officers are trained to expect the unexpected, but sometimes even the most routine calls spiral into chaos. Welfare checks—intended to ensure someone’s safety—can quickly turn into high-stakes standoffs, emotional breakdowns, or even tragic discoveries. Here are six unforgettable times when police officers turned pale during what should have been simple welfare checks.

1. Bat-Wielding Breakdown in Wisconsin

On December 23, 2024, Vernon County deputies arrived at Stacy’s home after her social worker reported not hearing from her for four days. Officers found Stacy’s dogs loose—a red flag. When they knocked, Stacy erupted, brandishing a baseball bat and hurling threats. The tense encounter escalated as she resisted arrest, forcing officers to deploy a taser. Inside, officers found her home ransacked, and Stacy’s combative attitude continued at the precinct, earning her charges ranging from battery to resisting arrest.

2. Drug Denial in Dayton, Ohio

Dayton officers responded to a wellness check at an apartment complex after concerns about a woman’s drug use. The suspect insisted she was the victim, blaming her roommate for any illicit activity. But officers found suspected drugs next to her, and her erratic behavior made the truth obvious. After being arrested, she continued to act out, ultimately being charged with felony possession of a controlled substance.

3. Teen Tantrum in New Mexico

In July 2024, Rio Rancho police responded to a mall parking lot where a 13-year-old, Olivia, was screaming and banging on car doors. The situation quickly devolved as Olivia and her mother both lost control, each blaming the other and the officers for their predicament. Officers tried to de-escalate, but Olivia’s resistance led to her being detained. The incident made it clear that sometimes the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, as both mother and daughter fueled the chaos.

4. Basement Barricade in Illinois

A welfare check in Wheaton, Illinois, turned bizarre when officers encountered Amber, who had allegedly tried to break into homes and chased a child. Amber barricaded herself in a basement and alternated between hostility and flirtation with officers. Her boyfriend and neighbors struggled to explain her erratic actions. Eventually, Amber was arrested for criminal trespassing and disorderly conduct, but not before a lengthy, surreal standoff.

5. Tragic Discovery in Columbus, Ohio

Not all welfare checks end safely. In May 2022, Columbus police were asked to check on Jasmine Chester, a young mother missing for over a week. Officers found bullet holes in her apartment and, tragically, Jasmine’s body hidden inside. What started as a routine check became a homicide investigation. The perpetrator was later caught and sentenced to over 14 years in prison, but the pain for Jasmine’s family endures.

6. Crying Wolf in Butler County

On Easter Sunday 2024, officers in Butler County, Ohio, responded to a call about an elderly woman in distress. They quickly discovered the caller was the supposed victim herself, who had fabricated the emergency after arguing with her mother. When confronted, she feigned confusion and refused to cooperate, leading to her arrest for misuse of 911, disrupting public service, and resisting arrest.

Conclusion

Welfare checks are meant to protect the vulnerable, but as these cases show, they can put officers in unpredictable—and sometimes dangerous—situations. Whether facing violence, mental health crises, or tragic loss, police must be ready for anything. These six stories serve as a stark reminder: there’s no such thing as a “routine” welfare check.