A 16-year-old girl who had been missing for roughly a month has been found safe following a multi-state investigation that resulted in the arrest of an accused repeat kidnapper, the FBI informed Fox News Digital on Tuesday.
The victim was apparently discovered in a hotel room near Jacksonville, Florida, last Friday after being reported missing in Ohio on February 16.
Investigators identified the culprit as Negron, a Tennessee man who is already facing charges. Agents also discovered that Negron was tied to another potential kidnapping in 2024, when he allegedly took a 17-year-old Texas girl for sexual activity.
The agency reported Friday’s arrest as the second successful takedown of an alleged child sexual abuser in a single week.
FBI Director Kash Patel complimented the effort, which was coordinated by various field offices, local police, and the elite Hostage Rescue Team. He also stated that protecting children from violent offenders is a vital responsibility and that the teams “no doubt saved lives.”
“This case is the best of the FBI working with our great local partners: Acting quickly, using elite technology capabilities, and deploying the best of the best tactical units to find the alleged kidnapper and very likely save a young girl’s life,” Patel said in a statement.
“Protecting kids against violent criminals has been a top priority of this FBI from the start, and day after day our teams continue to get it done all across this country. Our Cincinnati, Nashville, and Jacksonville field offices working with local partners – as well as our incredible Hostage Rescue Team – all did outstanding work in this case and no doubt saved lives.”
Federal officials said the girl, from Colerain Township, Ohio, was discovered after investigators identified and tracked down Negron.
While a search warrant at Negron’s Tennessee house revealed that the suspect had already fled, law enforcement was able to track down his whereabouts and vehicle later that morning in Palatka, Florida.
Negron was eventually caught, and the child was apparently discovered safe in a neighboring hotel room.
Charges against Negron are still pending. Federal officials noted that digital data is still being reviewed, but no child sexual abuse material has been uncovered at this time.
During the investigation, agents determined that Negron was related to a 2024 incident involving a 17-year-old from Texas.
At the time, he was accused of being involved in two previous barricade situations with local police. He is also suspected of making threatening words to officers, and a shotgun was discovered in his home.
Negron’s criminal history also includes local misdemeanor crimes such as larceny, trespassing, criminal mischief, and marijuana use, according to the FBI.
The local district attorney did not file charges in the 2024 incident.
The FBI said it met with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Ohio on Tuesday to consider potential federal charges related to the alleged transportation of a minor for sexual activity involving the 16-year-old victim.
Negron was arrested in Jacksonville and transported back to Tennessee.
The FBI stressed that this is the second time in one week that field offices had worked flawlessly to apprehend alleged child sexual predators.
The earlier instance, which saved a 13-year-old child and a 7-month-old baby, required cooperation from the Buffalo and Charlotte field offices.