Trending
The U.S. Marshals Service in northern Ohio was part of "Operation We Will Find You," a national missing child operation in conjunction with federal, state and local agencies.
The northern Ohio district was one of 16 selected regions to take part in this operation because of past successes, according to a news release from the Marshals service.
This is the third large-scale missing child operation conducted by the U.S. Marshals in northern Ohio, running from March 1 until May 15. During this time, 35 children were located and recovered with the operation focused on Cleveland, Toledo, Akron, Canton, Youngstown and surrounding counties. Four were from the Youngstown area.
"The main objective of Operation We Will Find You was to find as many critically missing children as possible. The epidemic of missing children in our country needs a spotlight, it needs our focus. We hope operations like this sharpen that focus," said U.S. Marshal Pete Elliott, who works out of the Cleveland office.
The cases led officers across Ohio, and even across the country to California, Arizona and West Virginia. All the missing juveniles' whereabouts were unknown, and critical risk factors placed them in elevated danger of physical or sexual abuse, neglect, substance abuse or human trafficking.
Anyone with information concerning a wanted fugitive or missing child can contact the Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force at 1-866-4WANTED (1-866-492-6833). Reward money is available, and tipsters may remain anonymous.