'Political vengeance,' Drake, GOP leaders respond to swatting arrest
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Forty-five-year-old Gloria Niedbalski is charged with Identity Deception and False Informing. According to the probable cause affidavit, on the night of Dec. 9, Niedbalski allegedly pretended to be Drake's elderly neighbor, calling the Department of Child Services (DCS) to check on two of Drake's children, saying they were left home alone.
Officers arrived shortly before 2 a.m., Dec. 10, to find both children safely with their father in the home. Drake then called St. Joseph County Sheriff William Redman to report she believed they were being pranked. Meanwhile, Drake was stuck at the council meeting. She left the meeting but later returned ahead of the final vote.
Earlier at the same meeting, Drake had voted against Niedbalski's reappointment to the St. Joseph County Property Tax Board of Appeals, though her reappointment was ultimately approved.
Investigators later discovered Drake's elderly neighbor moved into a nursing home several years ago, and they traced the DCS call back to Niedbalski's family business.
Niedbalski, meanwhile, denies making that swatting call.
Sheriff Redman has requested the Indiana State Police take over the investigation in the following statement:
"Regarding the incident that occurred on December 10, 2025, involving Councilwoman Amy Drake, who was the victim of a swatting incident. I would first like to thank our patrol officers for their immediate, yet calm response to a call for service to assist the Department of Child Services at the Drake residence that evening. This was a direct response to text messages I received from Councilwoman Drake for assistance at 2:00 am.
Due to the nature of the incident and to ensure an independent and thorough investigation, I requested that the Indiana State Police conduct the investigation. I would like to thank the Indiana State Police for their professionalism and diligence in handling this case. We want to remind the public that making false reports is a serious crime and there are consequences. Anyone responsible for making false reports to emergency services will be investigated and may face criminal charges."
Amy Drake declined to interview with ABC57 on Tuesday but released the following statement:
"I am grateful to learn that one of the persons responsible for swatting my family and endangering their lives was arrested and charged with crimes this week. This horrific act in December was traumatizing. My family was awakened in the middle of the night with armed police officers pounding on the front door of our home. Police and a DCS employee were there based on a false report that my children were home alone and in danger. Swatting incidents like this are dangerous for all involved.
I am thankful that no tragedy unfolded, because these types of situations have the potential to lead to fatal consequences. Mine was just one of many swatting incidents aimed at government representatives recently in Indiana. Even worse, it came hours after several county council members and I voted against the suspect’s appointment to a county board. I am still shocked that anyone would engage in political vengeance like this.
I hope the perpetrator of this crime receives her just punishment, proving the seriousness of these crimes and deterring others from employing these dangerous methods to intimidate lawmakers. Furthermore, I hope this will highlight misuses of the Indiana Department of Child Services hotline, where anonymous reporting can be weaponized to torment families. I appreciate that the prosecutor and state police have pursued this case."
ABC57 reached out to the St. Joseph County Republican Party Chair, Jackie Horvath, for comment, and she responded with a statement:
"The St. Joseph County Party condemns any attempt to harass or intimidate public officials, and certainly their families. Making false reports that bring law enforcement or child services to someone’s home is reckless and unacceptable. Disagreements in public policy should be handled through debate and the democratic process – not through actions that put families and first responders at risk. Our thoughts and prayers are with Councilwoman Drake and her family."
Tuesday morning, former SWAT Officer Rod Laureys, who is running for St. Joseph County Sheriff, released the following statement to the media:
“False emergency reports and swatting incidents are extremely dangerous and divert law enforcement resources away from real emergencies. As a police officer, a former SWAT officer, and a candidate for Sheriff of Saint Joseph County, I know how seriously officers must treat any report involving the safety of children or families. During my time on SWAT, I responded to a very similar call where a false report created a dangerous situation involving children—something no family and no officer should ever be put through. Intentionally making a false report puts everyone at risk. Our community deserves professionalism, accountability, and a justice process focused on the facts while keeping public safety above politics.”
Republican Councilmembers Randall Figg, Andy Rutten, and Joe Thomas released a joint statement:
"We want to thank all law enforcement, especially the state police, and the county prosecutor for arresting the woman charged with terrorizing County Councilwoman Amy Drake’s family. We condemn this political violence, particularly aimed at children. We shudder to think about the loss of life that could have happened in this dangerous situation, but fortunately did not. We hope the prosecutor will continue to pursue this case until the end and prosecute anyone else involved who may be involved in her network. Such bad actors do not belong in local politics and should be immediately removed from any positions of influence or power."
Finally, a representative for the office of Rep. Rudy Yakym (IN-02) released a statement Tuesday on behalf of the Indiana Second District Republican Central Committee:
"The Indiana 2nd District Republican Central Committee commends the efforts of local law enforcement for their investigation and arrest of Gloria Niedbalski, who has been charged in the swatting attack against St. Joseph County Councilwoman Amy Drake and her family. These attempts at influence through intimidation have absolutely no place in our democratic republic, and we trust that the justice system will make that abundantly clear through the upcoming proceedings."