Ohio Teen Girl Missing for Weeks Found Safe in Florida Hotel, Suspect Arrested

The 16-year-old was located in a Palatka hotel after authorities identified a person of interest in Tennessee.

Mar. 13, 2026 at 7:19pm

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A 16-year-old Ohio teen who went missing in February has been safely located in a Florida hotel. Authorities found Madison Fields in a Palatka hotel after identifying a 'person of interest' in Tennessee. The FBI's Hostage Rescue Team went to the suspect's Tennessee home but were unable to locate him, before the FBI Jacksonville located his vehicle at the Palatka hotel and took him into custody.

Why it matters

The safe recovery of a missing teen is always a relief, as these cases can often end in tragedy. This incident highlights the importance of law enforcement coordination and the use of advanced investigative techniques to locate missing persons, especially minors who may be in danger.

The details

According to the FBI Cincinnati, authorities found Madison Fields in a Palatka, Florida hotel after officials identified a 'person of interest' in Tennessee. The FBI's Hostage Rescue Team went to the suspect's Tennessee home but were unable to locate him, before the FBI Jacksonville located his vehicle at the Palatka hotel and took him into custody.

  • Madison Fields was last seen on February 13 around 4 p.m. in Cincinnati, leaving the InTown Suites on Colerain Avenue.
  • In January, police linked Madison to Kyle Lawrence, 43, of Buffalo, New York, while reviewing security footage from her home.

The players

Madison Fields

A 16-year-old Ohio teen who went missing in February and was later found safe in a Florida hotel.

Kyle Lawrence

A 43-year-old man from Buffalo, New York who has been federally charged with transporting material depicting child sexual abuse and intent to engage in criminal sexual acts, though he has not been charged with Madison's disappearance.

FBI Cincinnati

The local FBI office that coordinated the search for the missing teen.

FBI Jacksonville

The local FBI office that located the suspect's vehicle at the Palatka hotel and took him into custody.

FBI Hostage Rescue Team (HRT)

The specialized FBI team that went to the suspect's Tennessee home but was unable to locate him.

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What they’re saying

“We are thankful Madison is safe and will soon be back in Ohio. I want to thank all the law enforcement agencies involved for their relentless work to find Madison.”

— Jason Cromartie, FBI Cincinnati Special Agent in Charge

What’s next

Authorities are expected to provide additional details at a later time on the Tennessee suspect.

The takeaway

This case highlights the importance of swift and coordinated law enforcement action in locating missing minors, as well as the use of advanced investigative techniques to track down suspects. The safe recovery of Madison Fields is a relief, but the investigation is ongoing to determine the full circumstances surrounding her disappearance.