A former DCF worker is facing serious charges after investigators say they found drugs at her home while responding to another crime.

  • Police were called to Xzaiveous Scott's home following a robbery
  • That's when they discovered cocaine, heroin
  • Laymeshia Hicks, former DCF investigator, is Scott's girlfriend

Polk County deputies said they were responding to a home invasion last week when they found cocaine and heroin at Xzaiveous Scott's home.

Sheriff Grady Judd said Scott lives at the home with his girlfriend, Laymeshia Hicks, and her 3-year-old son. Hicks is a child protection investigator at the Department of Children and Families.

Now both Scott and Hicks are facing drug trafficking charges.

“Laymeshia Hicks works for DCF. She’s a child protection investigator," said Sheriff Judd. "Did you hear me? She’s a child protection investigator. And she and her boyfriend are dealing drugs, hard drugs out of their residents."

According to the sheriff, Hicks was immediately let go from the DCF when her charges were announced. The agency released a statement Monday night:

The alleged actions of this individual are completely reprehensible and do not in any way reflect the values of the department. We are charged with protecting the state’s most vulnerable individuals and we have extremely high standards for those tasked with carrying out this mission. Ms. Hicks was employed by the department in late 2015 as a child protective investigator after passing a level two background screening, and immediately upon learning of these charges we began taking steps to terminate her employment. We will continue to assist law enforcement in any way possible.

Hicks turned herself in to authorities late Monday night. Neighbors were shocked.  

“That’s just sad, in my opinion," said neighbor Paul Wichert. "That’s just sad and very unfortunate especially for the children involved."

Another neighbor, Jamie Gonzales, said he even saw the couple pack up and move out right after the home invasion.

“They seemed to have moved the next day," he said, "so it’s kind of weird that they were all gone."

Judd and his deputies would like to see the couple behind bars, but the sheriff said he's also trying to track down the men involved in the initial home invasion.

The two home invasion robbery suspects are described as:

Suspect 1: black male, approximately 5'11"- 6'01" tall, skinny build, light complexion; he was last seen wearing a camouflage-style sweatshirt and pants, black mask with a skull face, black shoes and gloves;

Suspect 2: black male, approximately 5'10" tall, husky build, light complexion; he was last seen wearing a red/orange hooded sweatshirt, gray pants, black shoes, black bandana, gray skull cap, and black gloves.

If you have any information, contact the sheriff’s office or Heartland Crime Stoppers at 1-800-226-TIPS (8477), or visit www.heartlandcrimestoppers.com.