In 2023, Ohio has witnessed a concerning surge in the number of missing and runaway children, nearly doubling the figures of states with similar population sizes.

This has ignited anxiety among both parents and law enforcement, particularly in communities struggling to cope with the growing count of runaway teenagers.

Just within this month, a total of 45 children have been reported missing in the Cleveland area, contributing to a cumulative count of 1,072 missing children since the beginning of the year, the Daily Mail reported.

While a significant portion of these children have subsequently returned home or have been located, authorities emphasize that many are habitual runaways who are likely to disappear again.

The incidence of children going missing and running away in 2023 is exceptionally high, raising alarm bells.

In comparison to 2022, Ohio recorded almost double the number of runaways when compared to states like Georgia, North Carolina, and Illinois, all of which have populations ranging from 10 to 12 million.

According to the Ohio Attorney General’s office, the greater Cleveland area alone currently has more than 45 missing minors, all reported as missing since September 1st, further adding to the tally of 1,072 children reported missing by concerned family members in the region since the start of the year.

Law enforcement, though acknowledging that most of these cases likely involve runaways, is grappling with the overwhelming demand from distressed parents eager to locate their missing children.

Written by staff