A 4-year-old boy from Ohio is safe today after U.S. Marshals tracked him down more than 1,500 miles from home in Guayanilla, Puerto Rico. The recovery on Wednesday afternoon ended a multi-agency search for the child, who is autistic and non-verbal, after he vanished during a scheduled visit with his mother earlier this month.
The investigation began on March 16 when the boy’s father contacted the North Olmsted Police Department to report that the child had not been returned following a three-day stay with his non-custodial mother.
While the mother’s vehicle was found near her home in Ohio, she and the boy were nowhere to be found.
The U.S. Marshals-led SPEAR Unit took the lead on the case, eventually uncovering evidence that 37-year-old Evelyn Otero had fled the mainland.
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Working alongside the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s Office and local police, investigators filed charges against Otero on March 23, including eight counts of interference with custody.
Once the trail led to Puerto Rico, federal agents on the island moved quickly. Within 24 hours of receiving the lead, Marshals located Otero and the boy. The child was recovered safely, and Otero was taken into custody without any further trouble.
U.S. Marshal Pete Elliott credited the fast-moving collaboration between local and federal authorities for the successful outcome.
“We are thankful for yet another quick and safe recovery after an incredible investigation by members of the SPEAR Unit, Cuyahoga Prosecutor’s Office and North Olmsted Police,” Elliott said in a statement.
Otero is currently being held in Puerto Rico. She will remain there until she is extradited back to Cuyahoga County to face the pending charges.
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