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Kate Martin is the lead investigative reporter at Carolina Public Press. Frank Taylor is managing editor. Contact Kate at kmartin@carolinapublicpress.org. Contact Frank at ftaylor@carolinapublicpress.org.
Unlawful child custody agreements led to indictments. Additional issues could also draw further charges. Federal lawsuit still before the courts.
![The Cherokee County Department of Social Services building in Murphy, N.C. on May 18, 2020. After an SBI investigation, A grand jury indicted several former DSS officials on Monday.[Frank Taylor/The Carolina Public Press]](https://i0.wp.com/carolinapublicpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/cherokeedss.jpg?resize=800%2C600&ssl=1)
