DHS removes seven children from C.F. home

JON ERICSON, Courier Staff Writer May 4, 2004 0

CEDAR FALLS - The Department of Human Services and Cedar Falls Police Department took seven children from a home last week in connection with a sexual abuse investigation.

The children were removed from the Maucker Road home of Jody Swarbrick Wednesday.

According to Cedar Falls Police Capt. Jeff Olson, the DHS had a verbal court order to remove the children.

The seven children removed from the home were under the age of 18. Seven more over the age of 18 were allowed to stay in the home.

No arrests have been made in the case. An investigation into the case continues.

Police said there were allegations of sexual abuse at the home but would not comment on the nature of the allegations.

"It is a very complicated and disturbing situation right now," Swarbrick said Monday.

Swarbrick has adopted more than two dozen children since the mid-1970s. She has been a single parent since 2000, when she went through a divorce.

The children have come from the United States, Asia and South America. Several have had mental or physical disabilities.

Swarbrick said that sometimes it's difficult for children who come from abusive situations to sort things out. She said no criminal court hearings have been conducted.

"There's a lot of information that needs to be sorted out. It's a very hurtful situation for both myself and the kids," she said. "I am sure the kids will be back at home soon."

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