Federal Agents Arrest Bergen County Mom Outside Preschool: Little Ferry Community Left ‘Shaken’

The Diplomatic Security Service is the law enforcement arm responsible for protecting State Department officials and foreign diplomats

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

LITTLE FERRY, NJ – A routine morning drop-off turned into a scene of federal intervention on Tuesday as agents from the U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service (DSS) arrested a mother directly outside a local daycare.

The incident occurred at the Early Learners preschool in Little Ferry, sending shockwaves through the quiet Bergen County borough. Witnesses and local officials confirmed that the woman was taken into custody immediately after dropping off her child.

“They Handcuffed Her Outside”: Chief Walters Reacts

Little Ferry Police Chief James Walters addressed the community’s concerns on Wednesday, clarifying that local law enforcement was not notified of the federal operation beforehand.

“She dropped her child off,” Chief Walters told the Publication the Patch. “They handcuffed her outside the preschool. There’s video of it… I would have appreciated a courtesy call”.

The Chief noted that he spent much of Tuesday investigating the incident to separate fact from rumor, especially as speculation grew that the arrest involved Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Who are the Diplomatic Security Service (DSS)?

While many initially feared an ICE raid, Chief Walters confirmed that the operation was strictly a DSS matter. According to the U.S. Department of State, the Diplomatic Security Service is the law enforcement arm responsible for:

• Protecting State Department officials and foreign diplomats.

• Investigating passport and visa fraud.

ICE officials specifically assured the Chief that they were not involved and would typically provide a courtesy call for local operations.

Teachers and Parents Left Reeling

The arrest took place in full view of the preschool, leaving the staff at Early Learners understandably upset. Chief Walters met with the teachers on Tuesday, describing them as “shaken up” by the morning’s events.

Fortunately, officials confirmed that the child was safely picked up later that day by the father.

Commitment to Transparency

In a statement posted to Facebook, the Little Ferry Police Department emphasized their lack of involvement in the federal detention.

“Federal agencies operate under their own jurisdiction and authority,” the statement read. “The Little Ferry Police Department remains committed to transparency, public safety, and serving all members of our community”.

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