45 missing children rescued, 179 arrested in Ohio human trafficking sting

A monthlong mission in Ohio recently turned up 45 missing children and led to 179 arrests, authorities said. In an operation dubbed Autumn Hope, the US Marshals Service in Ohio and Virginia tracked the children, including a “high-risk” 15-year-old girl from Cleveland who was linked to suspected human trafficking, authorities said Monday.

Twenty other children were also located as authorities checked on their well-being. During one of the missing children recoveries, a loaded gun was recovered. A 15-year-old boy had two warrants and is suspected in multiple shootings and a murder, authorities said.

Two other juveniles were found in West Virginia during a traffic stop, leading to the arrest of an adult male who was charged with concealment/removal of a minor child in Jackson County.