Missing Ohio Teen Rescued in Florida
A 16-year-old girl from Ohio, who had been reported missing, has been located safely in a motel in Florida. The FBI confirmed her rescue on Tuesday after a suspected child sex offender was apprehended during the investigation.
The teenager was last seen on February 16 in Colerain Township, Ohio, and authorities discovered her in a hotel room near Jacksonville, Florida, last Friday.
Investigators identified the suspect as a man from Tennessee named Negron, and he faces pending charges. They found evidence linking him to another kidnapping case from 2024, where he allegedly transported a 17-year-old girl in Texas for sexual exploitation.
On the day of her rescue, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Negron’s residence in Tennessee. Although he was already at large, they managed to track him to Palatka, Florida, later that morning.
Following her recovery, the girl was reported safe by the local sheriff’s department in a hotel room approximately 90 miles south of Jacksonville.
Federal officials revealed that Negron’s situation was still under investigation, with additional evidence being looked into and further charges anticipated.
The investigation also uncovered a relationship Negron had with a 17-year-old boy in Texas, and he was previously involved in two standoffs with the police, according to reports.
Notably, charges were not filed in the earlier 2024 kidnapping case related to him.
The FBI shared that Negron had a history of misdemeanor offenses, which included theft, trespassing, criminal mischief, and marijuana possession.
This recent arrest marked the second operation within a week targeting accused child sexual abusers. A seven-month-old infant was also saved as part of efforts against those producing child sexual abuse material, known as CSAM.
FBI Director Kash Patel commended the collaborative work of multiple field offices, local law enforcement, and the agency’s hostage rescue team for their successful operations.
He emphasized that the FBI prioritizes protecting children from violent offenders and continues to work diligently across the nation.
Additionally, discussions were held with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Ohio regarding potential federal charges against the suspect apprehended in Florida.
