Ohio Unveils 18 Reforms for Missing Persons Cases

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and the Ohio Department of Public Safety announced 18 recommendations from the state's Missing Persons Working Group to improve how missing persons cases are handled. Developed by law enforcement, advocates, and families, the proposals include easing access to search warrants in high-risk cases, digitizing records, increasing penalties for interfering with child custody, and codifying criteria for Endangered Missing Child Alerts. The group also calls for better information sharing, enhanced communication with families, specialized law enforcement training, and expanded advocacy support. The recommendations were influenced by testimony from families about their ongoing grief and trauma and were prompted by investigative reporting. With over 21,000 missing persons reported in Ohio last year, the initiative seeks to provide relief, justice, and closure. The working group aims for legislative changes and improved resources for investigators and affected families.