Iowa DCI files neglect of dependent person, mandatory reporter violations Caleb and Jill Haverdink

By Gary Dickson, Editor, Siouxland Observer

He was a Sioux County sheriff’s deputy and now he’s a former sheriff’s deputy.

Thursday, former Sioux County sheriff’s deputy Caleb Haverdink and his wife, Jill were arrested on numerous complaints and charges.

According to a joint press release from the Sioux County Sheriff and the Sioux County Attorney’s office, the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) filed seven counts of Neglect of a Dependent Person, Class C Felonies; two counts of Mandatory Reporter Violations, Simple Misdemeanors; and one count of False Report to Law Enforcement, a Simple Misdemeanor, against the couple, who live in Maurice. The charges are the result of a criminal investigation conducted by the DCI. 

At the time of the initial complaint, Caleb Haverdink was employed by the Sioux County Sheriff’s Office as a deputy sheriff. To avoid any conflict of interest, the sheriff’s office and Sioux County Attorney’s office immediately recused themselves from any part of the investigation and requested assistance from the DCI and the Clay County, Iowa Attorney’s Office.

According to the complaint and affidavits, the Haverdinks had prior knowledge of a child in their care committing numerous acts of sexual abuse and sexualized acts against other children and took no meaningful action(s) to mitigate the sexual abuse or protect the children under their care. Their inaction puts children under their care at high risk of victimization for sexual abuse. 

“Upon completion of the criminal investigation, an internal investigation was initiated by the Sioux County Sheriff’s Office to evaluate if Haverdink’s conduct was consistent with the policies and expectations of our employees,” the release stated. “To ensure a fair and objective internal investigation, an outside investigator was retained. The investigation concluded Haverdink’s conduct was contrary to the mission of the Sioux County Sheriff’s Office and his actions were in violation of established policies and procedures.”

Based on these findings, Sheriff Jamie Van Voorst terminated Haverdink’s employment on February 14.

In the press release, the sheriff wanted to reassure the public about the quality of the law enforcement officers under his supervision.

“Sioux County Sheriff’s Office wants to assure the public that their officers are held to the highest standards of integrity and ethical conduct. The charges are deeply troubling and contrary to the values of the Sheriff’s Office. Any time an officer exhibits any level of misconduct, it will be dealt with swiftly. As such, Haverdink’s employment was terminated based solely upon his off-duty conduct which was contrary to established policies and that which brought reproach upon himself and our agency.  This isolated incident is not representative of the dedicated men and women who serve with the Sioux County Sheriff’s Office with honor and integrity every day. It is disappointing when someone from within law enforcement conducts themselves in a manner which brings reproach upon our agency and inhibits their own ability to serve the community”.