(Hondo, Texas, August 14, 2019) On August 13, 2019 at approximately 3:12 pm, Hondo Police Officers responded to the Texas Department of Human and Family Protective Services office located at 410 Carter in Hondo, TX. Officers were responding to a report of several staff members feeling ill after opening a letter they received in reference to one of their investigations.
Hondo Police Officers were able to recover and seal two separate letters the office had previously received while in a child custody hearing earlier in the day. With the letter contained, the staff members were evaluated by Community EMS and declined any further treatment. Due to the possibility that the letter could have been packed or laced with a hazardous substance, assistance was requested from the Bexar County Office of Emergency Management and their area Hazmat Response team for the AACOG region. Staff and patrons were asked to vacate the building until the Hazmat team assessed the situation. The Bexar County Regional Hazmat team made location and were able to evaluate and test the letters. Based on their evaluation, it was deemed that no substance was on the letter that would be hazardous. At that point the scene was cleared and all subjects were allowed to safely depart the facility. It is unknown why staff members felt ill, but it is safe to say the letter was not the source.
