Behind the Badge
The visitor to the sheriff’s office wore her hair in a ponytail tied with a pink scrunchie.
With a matching pink top, dark jeans, and black boots, Sienna Casas, 4, was a fashionista – apropos for someone who has performed on the gabfest/variety TV show “Ellen,” hosted by comedian Ellen DeGeneres.
That’s right. Sienna is a budding diva. And she has her father, Orange County Sheriff’s Department Deputy Nick Casas, to thank for that.
Since March 2019, Casas, who has been singing and playing guitar since he was 10, has been posting videos of him and his daughter performing songs on social media.
A video of them signing “Señorita” went viral this summer after the song’s artists, Shawn Mendes and Camila Cabello, shared it on their social media platforms.
Sienna Casas, 4, pets OCSD K9 Cento, during a visit with her father, OCSD Dep. Nicholas Casas, left, and K9 handler Dep. Mark Van De Kreeke, right.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Soon, “Ellen” came calling.
Casas and his daughter appeared on the daytime comedy and talk show on Sept. 11, 2019. A YouTube video of their appearance has more than 12 million views and more than close to 410,000 likes as of Dec. 30, 2019.
“I was 100-percent surprised,” Casas said of his video going viral, as well as his and Sienna’s ensuing appearance on national TV. His personal Instagram account (@nickandsienna) has more than to 222,000 followers.
Late last month, Sheriff Don Barnes invited Casas, who works at Theo Lacy Jail, and Sienna for an office visit and tour of OCSD headquarters in Santa Ana.
Barnes wanted to personally congratulate the two for their budding celebrity – and for being a great example of a loving father and daughter.
Barnes called the visit the highlight of his week.
Sienna Casas, 4, gets a fist-bump from OCSD Sgt. Joses Walehwa during a tour of OCSD headquarters with her father, Dep. Nicholas Casas.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Casas served in the Marines for four years before becoming a deputy in April 2016.
The graduate of West Covina High School is a single father.
“Thanks for representing us so well,” Barnes told Casas. “We’re so proud of you. This (‘Ellen’ appearance) makes people see a side of us they don’t know — especially as a father, which is very special.”
Barnes showed Sienna some items in his office, including toy cars, a football, a baseball, and an old gun. He gave her a white stuffed bear, a sticker badge, and other OCSD goodies. Sienna then petted a K9 and sat inside a patrol vehicle.
K9 Handler Dep. Mark Van De Kreeke, left, gives Sienna Casas, 4, a trading card of his K9, Cento, as she visits the OC Sheriff’s headquarters with her father, Dep. Nicholas Casas.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
“A lot of people don’t know this about me,” Barnes told Casas, “but I was a single father too many, many years ago.
“So I know the struggles that oftentimes are shared by mothers who are raising kids by themselves. It makes me very proud to know that we share that bond….
“We are very supportive of our (OCSD) family. Life is not always easy, but make sure that you know that you have a family here to support you. It takes a big heart to do what you’re doing, and I’m so happy that you’re part of organization.”
“Me too, sir,” Casas responded. “I’m very grateful.”
OCSD Dep. Nicholas Casas gives his 4-year-old daughter, Sienna, a high-five as she tours an OCSD patrol car.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Barnes turned to Sienna.
“I think that you are just adorable and I love how close you and your father are,” he told her.
Casas asked his daughter what she wanted to be when she grew up.
“A police officer,” Sienna said.
“That would be super cool,” Barnes said, before adding: “Please keep singing, OK?”
OC Sheriff Don Barnes presents 4-year-old Sienna Casas with an OCSD teddy bear during a visit to his office.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
Four-year-old Sienna Casas, who sang on the television talk show “Ellen” with her father, OCSD Dep. Nicholas Casas, visited OC Sheriff Don Barnes recently.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
OCSD Dep. Nicholas Casas poses for a selfie with his 4-year-old daughter, Sienna, using a hand-held Osmo video camera.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
