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The United States Marshals Service (USMS) located and recovered 79 children reported as missing and endangered in Ohio, as part of Operation Meridian, an investigation conducted throughout August in coordination with federal, state, and local agencies.
The recovered minors were between 6 and 17 years old, and their cases were related to various circumstances, including suspected sex trafficking, physical and emotional abuse, neglect, runaways, and other high-risk situations.
U.S. Marshals Pete Elliott, from the Northern District of Ohio, and Michael Black, from the Southern District of Ohio, announced the conclusion of the operation, which involved authorities from cities such as Akron, Cleveland, Columbus, and Toledo, in addition to agencies from other jurisdictions.
What happened during Operation Meridian?
The investigation used resources and methods habitually employed by U.S. Marshals to locate fugitives, but on this occasion, they were used to find missing minors.
Authorities explained that investigators followed leads in different jurisdictions and that some of the minors were located outside of Ohio. The operation also included the participation of agents from the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
Michael Black highlighted that fugitive task forces have the capability to use their resources to locate missing minors and reunite them with their families.
Two missing sisters found in Ohio
One of the cases investigated involved two sisters, aged 13 and 16, who had been reported missing in July 2024 and April 2026.
U.S. Marshals from the Southern District of Ohio worked together with the Columbus Division of Police to follow leads on their whereabouts.
The 13-year-old was located in Lockbourne, in the basement of a home, hidden in a cramped space inside a closet.
During the operation, the mother of the girls was also detained due to an outstanding warrant from Franklin County related to a probation violation.
Authorities subsequently obtained information that allowed them to locate the second teenager, age 16, that same day at a restaurant in Columbus.
Teenager reported as a trafficking victim found
Another case occurred on August 18, when a 16-year-old girl was reported missing to the Toledo Police Department.
The teenager had previously been reported as a victim of human trafficking, so the Toledo Police and the SPEAR unit, led by U.S. Marshals, began the search.
Investigators followed leads in Ohio and Michigan until they identified an adult male with whom the young girl was possibly staying.
Finally, authorities located both in a home in Toledo. The teenager received medical attention and was taken to a hospital for an evaluation.
The man was questioned and local authorities continued to investigate possible criminal activity.
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