Cleveland, OH
Statewide group aims to improve missing persons investigations in Ohio
CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) – A new statewide missing persons working group is focused on improving missing persons investigations.
Twenty-four members appointed by Governor Mike DeWine are looking at ways to bring loved ones home safer and faster.
The Missing Persons Working Group is examining resources and responses statewide.
The working group includes local members from Cleveland Police, New Philadelphia Police and the U.S. Marshal’s Service.
19 Investigates was there as the group met for its second time last week.
Sylvia Colon, co-founder of Cleveland Missing, is also a part of the working group.
“Families are victims too, and I say that over and over again. And I said it at our first meeting and I’ll continue to say it. But I don’t even need to say it anymore, the families that come here, they talk about how they’ve been victimized as well. I think that’s what’s really important, and those are going to have to be takeaways for law enforcement to think differently about how they engage differently with families of the missing,” Colon said.
Sylvia’s cousin, Gina DeJesus, was one of three women found alive on the west side of Cleveland after nearly a decade.
We asked Colon what she thinks is the most pressing change that can be made quickly.
“I think our hope is that there will be some standardized processes in law enforcement around how they work a missing persons case, whether it be a child or an adult,” she said.
Members of the group are diving into best practices to find missing people.
Colon said they discussed making sure police agencies and families know you don’t need to wait 24 hours to file a police report.
Members of the working group also pitched the idea of better training for all detectives on missing persons cases and hit on the importance of digitizing records in cold cases across the state.
“They’re really identifying families and looking at what the needs of the families are as well. And to me that speaks volumes to what this committee can do,” Colon said.
The working group also talked about the idea of having a “missing persons point person” at every law enforcement agency.
The group will meet four more times and is expected to issue recommendations at the end of April.
Copyright 2025 WOIO. All rights reserved.
CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) – A massive water main break and a possible sinkhole was reported in Cleveland Monday afternoon.
A 19 News crew is on scene at the intersection of E 130th Street and Buckeye Road for the possible reported sinkhole and a water main break.
According to the Cleveland Division of Water, the break on Buckeye Road is a 10-inch water main and a repair crew is on the way.
The water has been shut off, but the area remains closed due to the debris and for cleanup.
19 News has made call outs to officials for more information.
This is a developing story. Return to 19 News for updates.
Copyright 2026 WOIO. All rights reserved.
CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) – The body of a missing boy in Lake Erie was found Sunday afternoon, according to the Cleveland Fire Department.
Multiple agencies searched Lake Erie Saturday night and continued searching Sunday morning for a young boy who was reported in the water near the East 55th Street Marina.
The search for the boy had turned into a recovery mission before Metroparks divers discovered the body, Cleveland Fire Chief Mike Norman said.
Cleveland Fire, Metroparks and the Ohio Department of Natural Resources responded to the call, which came in just before 9 p.m. Saturday.
Search efforts
Cleveland Fire said crews responded to a report of a child in the water. A fire boat made multiple passes over the area, shining a light into the water. Two divers were also sent into the lake to search for the child. No body was found.
A helicopter was also spotted flying over the water near the bank, searching with a spotlight.
The Cleveland Fire Department said at 10:15 p.m. Saturday that its crew in the lake would be ending their search soon.
Cleveland fire crews said Sunday that they resumed the search for the missing boy before turning operations over to a recovery mission.
Chief Norman said Metroparks divers are transporting the body and receiving assistance from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.
Copyright 2026 WOIO. All rights reserved.
ADA I. TAYLOR
OBITUARY
(nee Everhardt), of Middleburg Heights, formerly of Avon Lake, passed away peacefully on Friday, July 3, 2026 at Royal Oak Hospice after a short illness. Ada was born December 30, 1947 in Philadelphia, PA. Beloved wife of the late Terry R. Taylor (2012); loving mother of Elliot E. Taylor; loving ‘pet mom’ of Molly and Kitty; daughter of the late Pendleton B. and Inez (nee Chestnut) Everhardt; sister of the late Joyce Everhardt. Ada was a well-known and respected Real Estate Agent/Broker for 51 years in the Greater Cleveland area. 39 of those years were spent at Howard Hanna. She graduated from West Tech High School and then earned her Bachelor’s degree in education from BGSU before going full time in Real Estate. Ada was an Honors English, History and Journalism teacher at Lorain High School from 1971 ‘ 1975. Also, for a short time in the 80’s she was a lobbyist in Washington, DC for independent business owners. Ada is survived by her son Elliott E. Taylor and cousins David Dieball (Marilyn), Allan Dieball Benjamin Dieball and Donna Bednar (Michael). In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to City Dogs Cleveland, 9203 Detroit Ave., Cleveland, OH 44102. A private Graveside Service will be held at St. Joseph/Elmhurst Cemetery in Avon. Arrangements made by Ripepi Funeral Home (440)888-0800
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