Four juveniles reported missing in Akron have been found safe, and investigators say they were not kidnapped or abducted, despite speculation that circulated on social media Monday evening.
Police said officers responded Monday, June 29, to a report involving four missing juveniles near the Summit Lake Community Center.
As concern spread online, numerous social media posts suggested the children had been kidnapped or abducted. However, the Akron Police Department said detectives determined that was not the case.
Investigators immediately launched an extensive search, using multiple investigative resources, including Flock Safety cameras and surveillance footage. Authorities also coordinated with several law enforcement agencies, including the FBI, Summit Metro Parks Police and the New Franklin Police Department. Additional agencies assisted by checking for the juveniles within their jurisdictions.
As the investigation progressed, detectives determined the juveniles had not been abducted. All four were located safely and returned to their parents.
The Akron Police Department thanked its law enforcement partners and community members who shared information throughout the investigation, saying their assistance helped bring the case to a safe conclusion with all four juveniles safely reunited with their families.
