The FBI located a 16-year-old reported missing from Colerain Township, Ohio, finding her safe in a Florida hotel after a month-long multi-state search. A Tennessee man identified as Negron was arrested in Jacksonville; charges are pending while digital evidence is reviewed. Investigators say Negron is linked to a separate 2024 incident involving a 17-year-old and prior barricade confrontations. FBI Director Kash Patel praised the coordinated operation and the Hostage Rescue Team for likely saving the girl’s life.
FBI Recovers Missing 16-Year-Old From Florida Hotel After Month-Long Search; Suspect Arrested
FBI rescues missing teen from Florida hotel after month-long hunt for accused kidnapper
The FBI confirmed that a 16-year-old girl reported missing from Colerain Township, Ohio, on Feb. 16 was found safe last Friday in a hotel near Jacksonville, Florida, following a month-long multi-state investigation that led to an arrest.
The FBI said multiple field officers coordinated a multi-state kidnapping investigation of a 17-year-old girl from Ohio.(Getty Images)
Federal agents identified a Tennessee man, Negron, as the primary suspect. Investigators executed a search warrant at his Tennessee residence and, after determining he had left, tracked his vehicle to Palatka, Florida. Negron was arrested in Jacksonville and the teenager was located safe in a nearby hotel room.
A missing 16-year-old from Ohio was safely recovered in Jacksonville, Florida, after a month-long search and investigation.
Charges against Negron are pending while digital evidence is reviewed. Federal officials said that, to date, no child sexual abuse material has been identified during the ongoing review.
Kash Patel appears before the Senate Judiciary Committee at the Capitol in Washington, Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025.
Related Allegations And Prior Incidents
During the probe, agents linked Negron to a separate 2024 incident in which he allegedly transported a 17-year-old Texas girl for sexual activity. That earlier matter reportedly involved two barricade confrontations with local law enforcement, threatening statements toward officers and the recovery of a shotgun at his residence. His prior local criminal history includes misdemeanor reports for theft, trespassing, criminal mischief and marijuana possession; the local district attorney did not press charges at the time of the 2024 incident.
Coordination And Response
FBI Director Kash Patel praised the operation, highlighting coordination among multiple field offices — Cincinnati, Nashville and Jacksonville — local law enforcement partners and the FBI’s Hostage Rescue Team. "Protecting kids against violent criminals has been a top priority of this FBI from the start," Patel said, adding that the teams "no doubt saved lives." The bureau noted this arrest was its second recent takedown of an alleged child sexual abuser within one week.
"This case is the best of the FBI working with our great local partners: Acting quickly, using elite technology capabilities, and deploying the best of the best tactical units to find the alleged kidnapper and very likely save a young girl’s life," Patel said in a statement.
Federal agents met with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Ohio to discuss potential federal charges related to the alleged transportation of a minor for sexual activity tied to the recovered 16-year-old. After his arrest in Jacksonville, Negron was placed in transit back to Tennessee, officials said.
The FBI emphasized the importance of rapid, coordinated responses across field offices in recovering missing children and said the investigation and review of digital evidence are ongoing.
Help us improve.
