Governor DeWine launches Missing Persons Working Group

OHIO — Ohio Governor Mike DeWine has announced the formation of a new Missing Persons Working Group aimed at improving how missing persons cases are investigated across the state.

The group will focus on reviewing Ohio’s resources and processes for handling cases involving both adults and juveniles, including the use of databases, law enforcement training, and investigative practices.

“Every life is valuable, which is why it is important to take these cases seriously,” said Governor DeWine.

“I’ve asked this group to examine different components of missing persons investigations to determine if the process can be improved. The ultimate goal here is to bring more missing people home safely.”

The working group, led by Ohio Department of Public Safety Director Andy Wilson, includes law enforcement officials, prosecutors, advocates, and family members of missing persons.

Members of the Working Group

• Kamran Afzal, Chief, Dayton Police Department
• Jeff Allen, Chief Deputy, Mahoning County Sheriff’s Office
• Kevin Callahan, Detective, Cleveland Division of Police
• Kelli Cary, State Anti-Trafficking Director, Office of Criminal Justice Services
• Matt Champlin, Sheriff, Gallia County Sheriff’s Office
• Aimee Chapman, Sister of Andrew Chapman
• Vince Ciola, Bureau Chief, Ohio Department of Children and Youth
• Jonisa Cook, Mother of Joshua Al-Lateef Jr.
• Sylvia Colon, Co-founder, Cleveland Family Center for Missing Children and Adults
• Gerald Ehrsam, Sergeant, Columbus Division of Police
• Pete Elliot, U.S. Marshal, Northern District of Ohio
• Aaron Haslam, Prosecutor, Adams County Prosecutor’s Office
• Rebecca Kincaid, Detective, Toledo Police Department
• Jennifer Lester, Criminal Intelligence Analyst, Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation
• Lydia Smith Lockwood, Ph.D., Assistant Principal, Upper Arlington High School
• Chris Nicastro, Deputy Director, Criminal Justice and Recovery Services, Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services
• Bruce Pijanowski, Superintendent, Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation
• Tessa Pohovey, Chief, New Philadelphia Police Department
• Ronald Raines, Captain, Ohio State Highway Patrol
• Mike Rankin, First Assistant Prosecuting Attorney, Franklin County Prosecutor’s Office
• Rick Rodger, Judge, Union County Probate/Juvenile Court
• Kara Wente, Director, Ohio Department of Children and Youth

The group’s first meeting will take place at the Ohio Department of Public Safety on January 23, 2025, at 1:00 p.m.

They are expected to present recommendations by the end of April.