Operation Meridian Reunites 79 Missing Children in Ohio

The U.S. Marshals Service’s Operation Meridian recovered 79 missing children aged 7-17 in Ohio during August, marking the state’s largest such operation. Conducted with federal, state, and local partners, the effort targeted cases tied to sex trafficking, abuse, neglect, and runaways. Notable recoveries included a 13-year-old found in a basement crawlspace in Lockbourne and a 16-year-old located at a Columbus restaurant, with additional cases linked to trafficking investigations and follow-up medical/psychological care for the youths.