County investigator doing all he can to bring K-9 partner home

CLEVELAND – A K-9 handler with the Ohio Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force isn’t giving up after she was told she can’t take her K-9 partner with her when she leaves the department.

For researcher Beth Crano and her family, Indy is much more than a work partner: she is family.

Crano spent thirteen years with the Ohio Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (ICAC).

Since January, her primary and secondary education partner, Indy, has been working at her side, helping to find electronic evidence in challenging cases.

At home, Indy holds a special place in the Crano household.

“When I put my kids to bed at night, she makes it her own routine and gives them kisses goodnight,” Beth said.

But now a key part of their home is missing, as her husband, Rob Crano, told News 5 they don’t know where Indy is.

“We know she is in the custody of the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s Office, ICAC Task Force, but we don’t know exactly where she is because it has not been communicated to us,” Crano said.

After working at ICAC for more than a decade, Beth Crano decided to leave the department to focus on her family and mental health.

But she hoped to bring her partner along. Along with her dismissal, Crano offered to buy Indy from the agency.

“I think it would be a disservice to her to fix her with another handler. So I am ready and willing to offer the full amount, $15,000, to purchase Indy or retire Indy, let me buy the next dog for the unit and set it up for success,” Crano said.

The province refused, and on November 1, Crano was ordered to turn over Indy.

Before she could do that, her husband said Wednesday that Indy was taken from his wife while he responded to a search warrant.

“During that search warrant, the commander arrived and seized Indy and the vehicle she was driving, as well as any other equipment she had on her that belonged to ICAC. She has not ended. She is still employed by this department,” said Rob Crano.

Crano believes the county is using Indy as retaliation against his wife for her firing.

“Thirteen years – this is the respect? This is the thank you they gave her after thirteen years of service, all because they’re mad that she’s leaving them,” Crano said.

News 5 Cleveland contacted the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s Office about Indy and responded with the following statement.

“I understand K9 Indy is 2 years old. K9 Indy’s career in law enforcement is just beginning. She is a valuable tool in removing child predators and those who exploit children from our community and throughout Northeast Ohio. She is a valuable tool.” part of maintaining the public safety of our community. K-9 Indy is a two-year addition to law enforcement and is clearly still fit for the job. Under Ohio Revised Code Section 9.62(D), Officer Crano has forfeited her right to purchase K9 Indy under the laws of the State of Ohio.”

The prosecutor’s office said Indy will begin training with a new handler on November 4.

“Our children were not able to say goodbye. We didn’t get to say goodbye. Our retired dog didn’t get to say goodbye. They took her without even taking her medicine, her food and her toys,” Crano said.

The Cranos have contacted prosecutor Michael O’Malley directly and said they have not heard back yet.

“I sincerely hope that Prosecutor O’Malley and the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s Office, who have this information, will reevaluate the ICAC commander’s intentions and decisions. These actions reflect poorly on the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s Office and undermine efforts to staff the office with skilled professionals and build ties with local law enforcement agencies,” Crano said.

To raise awareness, Michelle Majer, a family friend and former prosecutor, started a petition for the Crano family, which now has more than 4,000 signatures.

“I see the legislation and movement to have officers with dogs treated like real officers if they are shot or stabbed, increasing the penalties. But when it comes to the situation here, they’re being treated like chattel, and it’s disturbing to me and unjust, and that’s what got me thinking,” Majer said.

Beth Crano will remain employed by the agency and use her vacation time to complete her remaining employment through December 1. Rob Crano adds that although his wife is leaving the agency, she is not leaving law enforcement, and both say they won’t give up until Indy is home.

“This is not an issue, we want to fight with someone about this. We just want the best for the dog. She is a loved one, she is a member of our family. Want the best for what’s best for Indy,” Crano said.

As the Crano family clings to hope for Indy’s return, they share one heartfelt wish: If they can’t bring her home, they want to know she is happy and well cared for – and they would like the chance to say goodbye .

For more information about the petition, click here; for the Facebook page, click here.

Last year, an officer in Shaker Heights was reunited with his K-9 partner after transferring from police.

Shaker Heights K-9 Igor is reunited with the former handler

RELATED: Shaker Heights K-9 Igor is reunited with the former handler