Missing Runaway Chicago Girl Found in Waynesfield

Waynesfield, OH — On Thursday, April 2, 2026, a Venezuelan-born couple traveling through the area stopped Waynesfield PD Chief Nathan Motter and requested immediate assistance regarding their son’s girlfriend, whom they believed to be in trouble.

Upon conducting a brief investigation with assistance from Chicago PD Detective Monica Mata and the U.S. Marshals Office, Chief Motter determined that the female, a 15-year-old juvenile, had been reported missing out of Chicago, Illinois. The juvenile advised that she had intended to run away with her boyfriend once she reached Columbus, Ohio; however, the boyfriend’s parents intervened and prevented the plan from being carried out.

As the boyfriend's parents began driving the girl back to Chicago, she stated that she planned to flee once the vehicle stopped. Concerned for her safety, the boyfriend’s parents sought assistance while she was asleep and made contact with Chief Motter to report the situation.

Through coordinated efforts, the juvenile was safely recovered and arrangements were made to return her to her family. Approximately 7 hours after the incident began, the girl was reunited with her father and brother at the Auglaize County Sheriff's Office.

Agencies assisting in this incident included the Auglaize County Sheriff’s Office, Auglaize-Mercer Grand Lake Task Force, Chicago Police Department, U.S. Marshals Office, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Chief Motter stated, “This was an excellent collaboration of multiple local and federal resources to return a missing girl to her family. With limited information and a language barrier, we were able to safely reunite a teenager with her family.”

No criminal charges will be pursued by the Waynesfield Police Department. All investigative information has been forwarded to the Chicago Police Department for appropriate follow-up.