Former Indiana DCS employee sentenced for forging parent signatures, falsifying records

VERSAILLES, Ind. — A former Indiana Department of Child Services employee was sentenced in Ripley County after pleading guilty to forgery for falsifying child welfare records and signatures.

The Ripley County prosecutor reached a plea agreement with Todd Click, a former family case manager. Click originally faced level 6 felony charges for official misconduct and forgery, along with falsifying child abuse or neglect records in 2024.

An investigation by the Indiana Office of Inspector General began in spring 2024, approximately one month after Click resigned from the agency. The investigation followed a referral from the Department of Child Services after officials identified concerns with Click’s records.

Investigators found that Click entered false reports of home visits and family contacts into the state case management system. He also forged the signatures of parents and caregivers on required forms. These actions falsified at least 10 case entries and seven forms, which put five families and 11 children in Ripley County at risk.

On Tuesday, the court sentenced Click to 910 days in jail. The judge suspended 900 of those days to probation and granted credit for time already served. Click must also complete 100 hours of community service. If Click finishes his probation without any violations, he can ask the court to reduce the conviction to a misdemeanor.

“Forging the signatures of parents and caregivers is a serious breach of duty and trust,” Indiana Inspector General Jared Prentice said. “Our office will continue working closely with agency partners and county prosecutors so wrongdoing is investigated and addressed — and Hoosier families should expect nothing less.”

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