U.S. Marshals Help Elkton Police Department Recover Critically Missing Teen

Baltimore, MD – The U.S. Marshals Service Capital Area Regional Fugitive Task Force, District of Maryland, and Elkton Police Department (MD) collaborated with the Deputy U.S. Marshals in the Northern District of Illinois to recover a critically missing juvenile in Countryside, IL. In this case, the 15-year-old, Guatemalan female was placed with a sponsor in Elkton, MD, before she went missing in November of 2023.

During the investigation, local detectives from the Elkton Police Department uncovered information indicating the teen had left Maryland and traveled to Illinois, where she was suspected to be in the presence of criminal associates. Due to the interstate travel and risk factors associated with the case, the Elkton Police Department sought the assistance of the U.S. Marshals Service.

The lead detective collaborated with Deputy U.S. Marshals in Baltimore and Chicago to carry out the interstate investigation, which led to the female juvenile being recovered on Thursday afternoon. 

“Far too many children fall victim to the plight of exploitation and human trafficking,” stated acting U.S. Marshal Mathew Silverman. We created our Silver Shield Unit here in the District of Maryland to help protect the most vulnerable members of our population. This recovery reflects the true strength of our public safety partnership.”

“Whether working side by side or a distance of hundreds of miles, the team work and dedication to mission  of our deputy marshals does not falter,” stated LaDon Reynolds, U.S. Marshal for the Northern District of Illinois. “The recovery, or in this case rescue, of a missing child remains a top priority.” 

“This case is a fantastic example of law enforcement’s capacity to successfully collaborate across multiple jurisdictions,” stated Carolyn Rogers, Chief of Police for the Elkton Police Department. “Our communities deserve the best efforts we have to offer, and law enforcement performs at its best when we pool our intelligence and resources to maximize the efficiency of our efforts.

The District of Maryland’s Silver Shield Unit was created to enhance protection of the public by collaborating with federal, state, and local partners to capture non-compliant/wanted sex offenders, recover critically missing children, and synergize the investigation of fugitive matters.

Participating partners in this investigation included: U.S. Marshals Service; U.S. Border Patrol; Chicago Police Department (IL); Federal Bureau of Investigation, Chicago; and the Maryland Office of Refugees and Asylees.