Akron, OH — U.S. Marshal Pete Elliott has announced the successful conclusion of ‘Operation Homecoming,’ a high-impact initiative aimed at recovering missing children in Akron and Summit County. The operation, a collaborative effort between the U.S. Marshals Service, Akron Police Department, and Summit County Sheriff’s Office, ran from August 19 to September 6.
During the three-week operation, law enforcement agencies worked diligently to locate and recover 32 missing children, ranging in age from 13 to 18 years old. The Missing Child Unit of the U.S. Marshals Service, alongside Akron police officers and Summit County sheriff’s deputies, played a critical role in this effort.
Marshal Elliott praised the teamwork involved, stating, “The dedicated work of our Missing Child Unit, in collaboration with the Akron Police and the Sheriff’s Office, has led to the successful recovery of these children. The U.S. Marshals Service remains committed to utilizing our resources to ensure the safe return of missing children in northern Ohio.”
Summit County Sheriff Fatheree echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the power of collaborative efforts. “I’m proud of the excellent work by my team and our partner agencies in this crucial operation. This is a prime example of how teamwork enhances our ability to serve and protect our community,” he said.
Among the recoveries, some children were found in Akron and Cleveland, while one child, reported missing in April 2022 by the Akron Police Department, was located in Washington state. Akron Police Chief Brian Harding highlighted the national scope of the operation. “The dedicated work of law enforcement partners was instrumental in locating a missing child across the country,” Harding noted.
In addition to the recovery efforts, law enforcement worked closely with Summit County Children’s Services to provide necessary resources and support for the children, especially those who had been missing for extended periods.
