Missing 16-year-old Madison Fields found safe in Florida; suspect taken into custody

Authorities say the teen was located after a multi-agency search and the suspect was arrested.

Mar. 13, 2026 at 6:04pm

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Madison Fields, a 16-year-old girl from Colerain Township, Ohio, has been found safe in Florida. The FBI, Colerain Police Department, and Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) announced that Fields was rescued after a "person of interest" in her disappearance, a 43-year-old man from New York, was located and taken into custody.

Why it matters

The successful rescue of the missing teenager highlights the importance of law enforcement cooperation and the use of Endangered Missing Child alerts to quickly locate and recover vulnerable youth. The case also raises concerns about online predators targeting minors and the need for continued vigilance to protect children from exploitation.

The details

Authorities say the 43-year-old suspect, Kyle Lawrence, admitted to traveling from New York to Ohio twice in January to meet up with Fields. A search of Lawrence's home found instances of child sexual abuse material, some of which allegedly depicted the missing teenager. Lawrence was arrested on federal charges related to the sexual exploitation of a minor and transportation of child pornography.

  • Madison Fields was last seen on February 13th.
  • Lawrence traveled to Ohio to meet Fields on January 19th and January 31st.
  • On March 13th, the FBI, local and state police located and rescued Fields in Florida.

The players

Madison Fields

A 16-year-old girl from Colerain Township, Ohio who was reported missing in mid-February.

Kyle Lawrence

A 43-year-old man from the Buffalo, New York area who was arrested and charged with federal crimes related to the sexual exploitation of a minor and transportation of child pornography.

FBI Cincinnati

The local field office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation that assisted in the search and rescue operation.

Colerain Police Department

The local law enforcement agency in Colerain Township, Ohio that investigated the missing persons case.

Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI)

The state-level law enforcement agency that provided support in the investigation.

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What they’re saying

“We are thankful Madison is safe and will soon be back in Ohio.”

— Jason Cromartie, FBI Cincinnati Special Agent in Charge

“We are all relieved that Madison has been safely located. Colerain Police and our partners never gave up hope that she would be found.”

— Edwin C. Cordie III, Colerain Police Chief

“The successful rescue of this teen is the product of strong law enforcement partnerships and underscores the vital role of Endangered Missing Child alerts.”

— Dave Yost, Ohio Attorney General

What’s next

The suspect, Kyle Lawrence, will face federal charges related to the sexual exploitation of a minor and transportation of child pornography. Additional details on the charges are expected to be released soon.

The takeaway

This case highlights the importance of vigilant law enforcement cooperation and the use of Endangered Missing Child alerts to quickly locate and rescue vulnerable youth who are targeted by online predators. It underscores the need for continued efforts to protect children from exploitation and the vital role that the public can play in reporting suspicious activity.