Pete Buttigieg’s Children Separated After an Unsubstantiated Tip

In late June 2024, child-protective services in Indiana and Michigan removed Pete Buttigieg’s four-year-old twins, Penelope and Gus, after an anonymous caller alleged “unspeakable violent crimes.” The tip contained only vague accusations and no indication of imminent danger. Michigan police waited six days before attempting to identify the caller; during that time the children were placed with grandparents while officials conducted interviews away from their parents.

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The report originated from a “mentally unstable woman in Indiana,” later linked to a Facebook post urging people not to vote for Buttigieg. Indiana police did not forward the caller’s name to Michigan officials, and Michigan State Police learned of the possible source nine days after the initial Indiana call. Police records obtained by The Washington Post illustrate limited information sharing between the two states and a “flawed process” in handling the tip.

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Sean Manning, a spokesman for Buttigieg, called the episode “painful and infuriating” and noted the family continues to receive threats. Indiana State Police confirmed a separate investigation into possible false reporting, and the Michigan attorney general’s office opened its own probe into how the allegation was handled.

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• “At the very least, it’s incredibly poor investigative work. I would even say reckless, in light of how harmful this is for the family,” — Vivek Sankaran, a University of Michigan law professor and child advocacy expert

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• “And a family is traumatized because of it.” — Pete Buttigieg, former transportation secretary

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