Missing Child Recovered by U.S. Marshals in FL, Fugitive Arrested on Kidnapping Charges

Martinsburg, WV – The U.S. Marshals Service recovered a missing West Virginia child in Tampa, Florida, and arrested the fugitive wanted in connection with the child’s disappearance.  

An arrest warrant was issued July 17th for a West Virginia woman for felony kidnapping and child concealment related to a child not being returned to its legal guardian.  As soon as the warrant was issued, the West Virginia State Police requested the assistance of the U.S. Marshals Mountain State Fugitive Task Force in locating the woman and recovering the missing child.  

Upon receipt of this case, task force members developed information that the fugitive was in the Tampa area and sent a collateral lead to the U.S. Marshals Middle District of Florida – Tampa office.  U.S. Marshals Service investigators from the Middle District of Florida and the Florida/Caribbean Regional Fugitive Task force arrested the fugitive in the 300 block of Windwood Drive without incident. The missing child was also safely recovered at this location.  

“Any time we get a case involving a missing child, that case goes straight to the top of the priority list,” said Terry Moore, acting U.S. Marshal for the Northern District of West Virginia. 
“I’m extremely proud of our investigators from West Virginia and Florida who worked together in recovering this child and apprehending the person responsible for the child’s disappearance.”

Since 2015, the U.S. Marshals Service has recovered more than 2,300 missing children. The Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act of 2015 enhanced the U.S. Marshals’ authority to assist federal, state and local law enforcement with the recovery of missing, endangered or abducted children, regardless of whether a fugitive or sex offender was involved. The Marshals established a Missing Child Unit to oversee and manage the implementation of its enhanced authority under the act. 

Additional information on this case may be obtained from the West Virginia State Police in Martinsburg.