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While other beautiful, single women might be out on the town, Anji Fussell can often be found sitting in her car, eating leftovers, during a late night stakeout. Fussell, president of She Spies Private Eye, Inc., thrives on the 24/7 life of a private investigator, mainly for the sake of children.
Passionate about child custody cases, Fussell, 43, is a mother of four; volunteers with the American Association for Lost Children; participates in the Celebration Church choir; and, will soon star in a reality TV show. Here, she blows her cover to change the way people think about her profession and uncover some hidden truths.
1. About Growing Up a Real-Life “Nancy Drew”
I spent hours as a young girl, hanging out in cemeteries, helping my mother discover our family’s history. She mentored me to dig in and find the stories, which eventually led me to major in criminal justice. Although I didn’t read Nancy Drew, I know we both have a drive to get answers and are inquisitive.
2. Private Investigators are not TV Characters
People look for the typical “Columbo” type – the older, heavyset man, with a cigar hanging out of his mouth. That’s not who we are.
3. On How She Broke into a Man’s World
When I got in this line of work in 2003, I was one of few female private investigators. I wasn’t taken seriously and the men were very flirtatious. But, now, more and more women are coming into the industry and I have many male colleagues, who appreciate what I have to offer.
4. Why Women Make Excellent Private Investigators
We are very detailed, observant and people tend to open up and talk with us more. For example, if they spot a woman sitting in a car during surveillance, they are not as suspicious as they are with a man. We can also change our looks better than men.
5. About How the Truth Can Set You Free
Sometimes, truth is painful, but most of my clients say they need to know it. When a husband is cheating on his wife, there will be part of her that wishes she didn’t know, but the logical part of her recognizes the need to know. I tell her she needs to know one way or another, so she can either focus on her marriage or make some decisions for herself.
6. Private Investigators are Law-Abiding, Too
We abide by all traffic laws, such as if we sit in our car, on a street down from a subject’s home, that’s public property. But, we can’t trespass on the property or video anything inside that home. We can also follow people and if they report us to the cops, we are instructed to tell the officer we are a P.I. and show our pocket card credentials.
7. Always Follow Ethics, not Money
I’ve never had a woman do this, but a couple of men approached me about getting custody of their children, just to get out of child support. I won’t take money for that. I am also asked to get cell phone records, which is illegal. I have the resources to do it, but won’t.
8. On Her Unglamorous Life
On any given day, I might be wearing “camo,” crawling on my belly through a hayfield, less than 50 feet from my subject. Or, go undercover to hit on a police officer, which is very risky, because, if discovered, he could make my life miserable. I’ve also had to watch some violent men, one of whom stalked me.
9. When a Mom Loses Custody
A father came to me with suspicions that his wife was cheating on him and leaving his children alone, while with the other man. I searched for answers to his questions and others, such as, “Are they drinking and, then, driving with the children in the car?” I look for areas of neglect to prove the child is better off with the other parent. If you paint a picture with these facts, the judge has a better idea of what’s going on. It’s a big “no-no” with a judge to have the children around with the lover. This father did win custody.
10. When to Use Tough Love
I work on the side for an agency, Center for Safe Youth. At-risk kids, mostly 15-to-17-year-olds, are sent off to wilderness schools. For various reasons, the parents can’t take them, so I go into the teen’s bedroom, typically around 4 a.m., wake them and take them where they need to go. Because we are licensed to do this, parents know they are not sending their kids off with just anyone. I am going to treat your child like my own. If I can make a small impression on them in that short time – make an impact on their future – then that is great.
MORE INFO
www.shespiespi.com