U.S. Marshals recover 32 missing NE Ohio children in ‘Operation Homecoming’

U.S. Marshal Pete Elliott has announced the successful conclusion of “Operation Homecoming,” a U.S. Marshals-led effort focused on the safe recovery of missing children in the Akron and Summit County areas.

The operation, which spanned three weeks from Aug. 19 to Sept. 6, was a joint initiative between the U.S. Marshals Service, the Akron Police Department, and the Summit County Sheriff’s Office. Law enforcement officers from the Missing Child Unit worked alongside Akron police and Summit sheriff’s deputies to locate and recover 32 missing and endangered children, ranging in age from 13 to 18 years old.

“Dedicated work by our Missing Child Unit, along with Akron Police and the Sheriff’s Office, has made an incredible impact in the safe recovery of these children,” Elliott said in a statement. “The U.S. Marshals Service will continue to dedicate its time and resources to the safe recovery of missing children in our communities throughout northern Ohio.”

Summit County Sheriff Kandy Fatheree praised the teamwork behind the operation.

“I’m proud of the excellent work of my team and of our partner agencies in this very important operation,” Fatheree said. “It is a great example of how collaboration makes us stronger and helps us to better serve and protect our community.”

Children were recovered in various locations, including Akron and Cleveland, while one child, reported missing by the Akron Police Department in April 2022, was located safely in Washington state. Akron Police Chief Brian Harding emphasized the significance of the interagency cooperation.

“The partnership and devoted work by law enforcement in this operation directly led to the safe recovery of the missing child located across the country,” Harding said.

Throughout the operation, law enforcement officers worked closely with Summit County Children’s Services to provide resources for the recovered children, especially those who had been missing for extended periods.