Over 30 missing Summit County children recovered as part of 'Operation Homecoming'

The U.S. Marshals Office announced that 32 Akron-area children were recently recovered as part of "Operation Homecoming."

The operation, a joint effort involving the U.S. Marshals, the Akron Police Department and the Summit County Sheriff's Office, focused on identifying and recovering missing youth in Summit County. Lasting three weeks, from Aug. 19 to Sept. 6, the operation saw the recovery of children ranging in age from 13 to 18.

Most of the children were recovered in the Akron area as well as Cleveland, but one child, reported missing in April 2022 by Akron police, was located in Washington.

“The partnership and devoted work by law enforcement in this operation directly led to the safe recovery of the missing child located across the country," Akron Police Chief Brian Harding said.

“Dedicated work by our Missing Child Unit along with Akron Police and the Sheriff’s Office have made an incredible impact in the safe recovery of these children," U.S. Marshal Pete Elliott said. "The U.S. Marshals Service will continue to dedicate its time and resources to the safe recovery of missing children in our communities throughout northern Ohio.”

Law enforcement officers worked with Summit County Children’s Services to provide resources for the recovered children.

“I’m proud of the excellent work of my team and of our partner agencies in this very important operation,” said Sheriff Kandy Fatheree. “It is a great example of how collaboration makes us stronger and helps us to better serve and protect our community.”

Reporter Anthony Thompson can be reached at ajthompson@gannett.com, or on Twitter @athompsonABJ

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Over 30 missing Summit County children recovered as part of 'Operation Homecoming'