Man Arrested for Kidnapping as Missing 3-Year-Old Girl is Safely Recovered

A man from Seville, Ohio, found himself in custody after allegedly taking a child from her home without consent, according to local authorities. The incident unfolded on Wednesday, as reported by the Medina Police Department.

The department shared that a 3-year-old girl was reported missing from her residence on Hunter Road in Lafayette Township. Fortunately, later that same day, officials confirmed the child had been located unharmed.

In an update released Wednesday evening, the police announced that an individual known to the family had been apprehended in connection with the girl’s disappearance.

To aid in the search efforts, officers deployed a variety of resources, including K-9 units, drones, and all-terrain vehicles. They also leveraged social media to alert the community and gather information.

The activation of the Medina County Child Abduction Response Team occurred soon after the search commenced, underscoring the seriousness of the situation.

After an “extensive two-hour search,” calls made to the Medina police and Medina County Sheriff’s Offices indicated that the missing girl was seen at a home on Buffham Road in Westfield Township.

Officers and deputies responded to the home, where they found the child unharmed, the release said. She was then taken to Medina hospital as a precaution and reunited with her dad shortly after. 

According to the release, family acquaintance Randy Lawrence Kerley is accused of unlawfully entering the child’s home and removing her without permission. 

Kerley was charged with burglary and kidnapping and is now incarcerated at the Medina County Jail.