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Five-Year-Old Missing Child Recovered by U.S. Marshals

For immediate release

Alex Rutter, Supervisory Deputy U.S. Marshal

Northern District of Ohio
Toledo, OH
(419) 259-7430

Cleveland, OH – The U.S. Marshals in Cleveland, OH recovered a five-year-old child yesterday who was missing from Yorktown, VA. The child was taken by a non-custodial parent and never returned on May 1, 2024. 

Authorities in Virginia were able to identify information putting the child and non-custodial parent in Cleveland, OH. The U.S. Marshals Missing Child Unit followed up on the information and were able to locate the child and arrest the non-custodial parent in the 14400 block of Cedar Road, Cleveland, OH.

Ashlee Benneson (31), of Newport News, VA was charged by the Newport News Police Department with parental abduction. She was taken to the Cuyahoga County Jail and the child was turned over to the Department of Family Services until united with the custodial parent.

U.S. Marshal Pete Elliott stated, “Cases such as these highlight the reach of our agency and team.  The safety of children is a highest priority for us and we are happy to recover this child and reunite them with their custodial parent.”

Anyone with information concerning a wanted fugitive can contact the Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force at 1-866-4WANTED (1-866-492-6833), or you can submit a web tip. Reward money is available, and tipsters may remain anonymous. Follow the U.S. Marshals on Twitter @USMSCleveland.  

The Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force – Cleveland Division is composed of the following federal, state and local agencies:  U.S. Marshals Service, Cleveland Police Department, Cuyahoga County Sheriff’s Office, Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority Police Department, Euclid Police Department, Ohio Adult Parole Authority, Ohio State Highway Patrol, Independence Police Department, Parma Police Department, Aurora Police Department, Solon Police Department, Cleveland RTA Police Department, Westlake Police Department, Bedford Police Department, Middleburg Heights Police Department, Newburgh Heights Police Department and the Metrohealth Police Department. 

Additional information about the U.S. Marshals Service can be found at https://www.usmarshals.gov.

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