Full Breakdown
Controversial Wellness Checks by Gratis Police Chief at Cincinnati Schools
4/18/2026, 10:25:29 PM
Incident Overview
On April 15, 2026, two officers, including Gratis Police Chief Tonina Lamanna, visited three Cincinnati Public Schools (CPS)—Western Hills University High School, Rees E. Price Academy, and Roberts Academy—claiming to conduct "wellness checks" on students believed to be enrolled at the schools. The officers did not wear uniforms identifying them as U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents and did not interact with any students. The visit raised significant concerns among school officials and local leaders regarding the appropriateness and legality of the officers' actions.
Background and Context
The Gratis Police Department, located about an hour from Cincinnati, has a formal agreement with ICE under a 287(g) partnership, which allows its officers to perform limited immigration enforcement within their jurisdiction. This partnership includes the authority to interrogate and arrest individuals suspected of being unlawfully in the country. However, the actions taken by Lamanna and her colleague during the school visits have been criticized as overstepping their jurisdiction.
Official Statements & Responses
CPS Superintendent Shauna Murphy described the incident as "alarming," noting that the officers did not present any legal warrants or request specific students by name. Cincinnati Mayor Aftab Pureval condemned the actions, stating, “It is patently ridiculous and inexcusable that a police chief from a small town... would come into our city’s public schools unannounced... to intimidate our children and their families.” The Hamilton County Sheriff, Charmaine McGuffey, confirmed she is working with federal and state partners to ensure proper guidelines are followed.
Criticism & Opposition
Local leaders and parents expressed outrage over the incident. Board member Eve Bolton labeled Lamanna a "puppet for ICE," emphasizing the need for accountability. Parents voiced their concerns about the potential intimidation of children, with one parent stating, “Targeting children at a school like when their parents are at work. Are you kidding?” The incident has sparked calls for a full investigation at the Ohio Statehouse.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
While ICE confirmed that the officers were not acting as ICE agents and were instead attempting to verify school enrollment, the lack of clear communication regarding their intentions has led to confusion and concern. The Cincinnati Police Department was not informed of the Gratis officers' actions prior to their visit, which is typically expected in law enforcement operations.
What's Next
A special council meeting in Gratis is scheduled for April 19, 2026, to discuss potential disciplinary actions against the officers involved. Additionally, CPS is continuing its investigation into the incident, and further training on ICE protocols for staff is being planned to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
Verbatim Quotes
- “It’s really just disgusting on so many levels under the guise of mental health, wellness checks,” — Aftab Pureval, Mayor of Cincinnati
- “I don’t want to get ahead of myself and speak for council until council meets.” — Kevin Johnson, Mayor of Gratis
- “We’re super proud of our staff who followed through as they are trained and did not entertain the police chief who had another individual with her,” — Shauna Murphy, CPS Superintendent
- “We’re sort of horrified that people could come into the school, disrupt the school environment, cause perhaps panic, chaos, things like that,” — Brad Smith, Cincinnati Federation of Teachers
The incident has highlighted the complexities surrounding immigration enforcement in educational settings and the need for clear communication and adherence to established protocols.
