Cleveland, OH – United States Marshal Pete Elliott, Police
Chief Calvin Williams, Sheriff David Schilling, East Cleveland Police
Chief Scott Gardner, and Newburgh Heights Police Chief John Majoy
announce the recovery of 35 children during of Operation Safety Net.
The U.S. Marshals Service has been working with
its state and local partners over the past month to locate and recover
missing juveniles from the Cuyahoga County area. 35 missing and
endangered children, between the ages of 13 and 18, were recovered
during the operation. A little more than 20% were tied to human
trafficking cases and those cases were referred to the Human Trafficking
Task Force in Cuyahoga County. Of the 40 missing cases referred to the
Marshals Task Force only 5 cases remain open. Members of the task force
and its local partners will continue to work over the next several weeks
to bring these 5 remaining children and other children to safety.
Chief John Majoy of Newburg Heights stated “We
are proud to assist in Operation Safety Net and I commend the United
States Marshals Service for their hard work and dedication toward
locating these children. Many times, they do not know they are a victim
and this operation offers hope, freedom and safety they would not
otherwise have. This is a fine example of local, state and federal
partners all working together for a notable cause. Together we can all
make a difference.”
Based on the results of this operation The United
States Marshal for the Northern District of Ohio has now created a
permanent Missing Child Unit throughout the 40 counites of Northern Ohio
to focus on those missing, abused, neglected and trafficked juveniles.
U.S. Marshal Pete Elliott stated, “This was new
unchartered territory and the first time we conducted an operation like
this. I am very proud of our law enforcement, community and media
partners who worked tirelessly to bring our missing and most vulnerable
children to safety. The establishment of a permanent unit in Northern
Ohio will ensure that our most vulnerable missing children will continue
to be found and brought to safety.”
Children were located and
recovered in Cleveland, Euclid, Akron, Mansfield, Columbus, Miami,
Florida and other cities throughout Ohio. Adam Jacobs, Ph.D President of
Bellefaire added, “The mission of Bellefaire JCB is to help those
children and youth who are at the greatest risk. Missing youth are among
those who are the most vulnerable. Working with the U.S. Marshal’s
Office to find and care for missing children, who are so often victims
of poverty, abuse and sex trafficking, is just one of the many ways
Bellefaire works with our community to fulfill its mission.
The Missing Child Unit of the U.S. Marshals
Service will continue to ask for support from the community in locating
these 5 remaining missing kids. Please call the U.S. Marshals at
1-866-492-6833 if you have any
information about their location. Tips can also be
submitted using
USMS Tips.
Law Enforcement Partner Agencies for
Operation Safety Net:
- Cleveland Police Department
- East Cleveland Police Department
- Cuyahoga County Sheriff’s Department
- Newburgh Heights Police Department
Community Partner Agencies for Operation
Safety Net:
- Bellefaire JCB
- National Center for Missing and Exploited Children
- Fox 8 News
- Cuyahoga County Department of Children and Family Services
- ClevelandMissing.org
- WTAM-iHeart Media
- Bernie Kosar
Additional information about the U.S. Marshals Service can be found
at http://www.usmarshals.gov.
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America’s
First Federal Law Enforcement Agency
