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U.S. Marshals recover 79 missing children in Ohio operation
The U.S. Marshals Service has announced the successful conclusion of Operation Meridian, described as the largest missing-child operation in Ohio history. Throughout the month of August, a coordinated effort involving federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies recovered 79 children, aged 6 to 17, who had been reported missing or endangered.
The cases involved various circumstances, including suspected sex trafficking, physical and emotional abuse, neglect, and runaway situations. Some children were located outside of Ohio, with some found as far away as Georgia.
Specific incidents highlighted during the operation included the recovery of two sisters, ages 13 and 16. The 13-year-old was discovered concealed in a basement crawlspace beneath a bedroom closet floor in Lockbourne. Her mother was subsequently arrested on an outstanding Franklin County warrant for a probation violation. In another case, a 16-year-old girl identified as a trafficking victim was located in Toledo.
Law enforcement officials noted that the operation benefited from community involvement and support, including collaboration with abduction survivor Amanda Berry.
Entities
Amanda Berry · Columbus Police Department · Lockbourne · Michael Black · Ohio · Operation Meridian · Pete Elliott · U.S. Marshals Service
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 7 SOURCES] Some children were located as far away as Georgia. www.ntd.com · www.richlandsource.com · patriot.tv · heartlandernews.com · thelibertydaily.com · +2 more
- [● 5 SOURCES] A 13-year-old girl was found in a basement crawlspace beneath a bedroom closet floor in Lockbourne. www.ntd.com · www.richlandsource.com · patriot.tv · www.fox5atlanta.com · zhiphopcleveland.com
- [● 5 SOURCES] The mother of the 13-year-old girl was arrested on a Franklin County probation-violation warrant. www.ntd.com · www.richlandsource.com · patriot.tv · www.fox5atlanta.com · zhiphopcleveland.com
- [● 8 SOURCES] The recovered children were between the ages of 6 and 17. www.ntd.com · www.richlandsource.com · patriot.tv · dalmartv.com · heartlandernews.com · +3 more
- [● 8 SOURCES] The U.S. Marshals Service announced the recovery of 79 missing and endangered children during Operation Meridian. www.ntd.com · www.richlandsource.com · patriot.tv · dalmartv.com · heartlandernews.com · +3 more
- [● 8 SOURCES] Operation Meridian took place during the month of August. www.ntd.com · www.richlandsource.com · patriot.tv · dalmartv.com · heartlandernews.com · +3 more
- [● 6 SOURCES] The operation is described as the largest missing-child operation in Ohio history. www.ntd.com · patriot.tv · heartlandernews.com · thelibertydaily.com · zhiphopcleveland.com · +1 more
- [● 8 SOURCES] Cases involved suspected sex trafficking, abuse, neglect, and runaway situations. www.ntd.com · www.richlandsource.com · patriot.tv · dalmartv.com · heartlandernews.com · +3 more