The Osage County Sheriff's Office has received several telephone calls and emails about a group of people selling educational materials door to door during evening hours in the southern and western parts of the county.
Deputies have had reports that these individuals are casing homes and potentially attempting to abduct children. However, the sheriff's office has no knowledge of any abductions.
The sheriff's office has been working with the Jefferson City Police Department in the matter.
JCPD said a group of people selling educational materials in the city and those individuals have been identified and found to have a valid business license. These individuals have had a background check conducted and Osage County authorities are attempting to verify if these are the same individuals they are dealing with.
Last month, the Jefferson City Public Schools reported individuals selling textbooks, who claimed their sales were endorsed by and/or associated with the public schools, had nothing to do with the district, despite their salespeople using the names of school district administrators or teachers in their sales pitch.
If Osage County citizens have these people come to their residence, they are urged to call the sheriff's department at 573-897-3107 with a description of the individuals and vehicle.