COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) - Ohio Gov. John Kasich says he'll back further legislation this session bolstering the state's legal crackdown on human trafficking.
Kasich spoke at an awareness event Friday at the Statehouse. The Republican governor said the state is marshaling its resources against the crime, but more can be done.
Victims of human trafficking often are prostituted or pushed to work against their will in sweatshop-type jobs. Some are girls as young as 11.
State Rep. Teresa Fedor, a Toledo Democrat, championed a new state law signed last year that increased penalties and created a fund to help victims. Kasich said he'll work with her again.
Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine reported Thursday that despite improvement, there's still work to do in increasing Ohio's legislative response to human trafficking.
The issue is grabbing the attention of local residents. Toledo is considered a hub for human sex trafficking. One local church congregation came together on Friday to raise awareness.
"One of the key reasons we want to do this because we want to be part of helping those being held hostage," Pastor Pat Cannon from That Neighborhood Church.
"I have nieces that age to think that it could happen to them," Sister Sandy Sherman said.
Monday, June 17 2013 11:10 PM EDT2013-06-18 03:10:56 GMT
Around this time every year, millions of little mayflies blanket Lake Erie communities like Port Clinton, Sandusky and parts of Toledo. Despite some water quality issues in the last few years, the mayfly
Around this time every year, millions of little mayflies blanket Lake Erie communities like Port Clinton, Sandusky and parts of Toledo.
Monday, June 17 2013 9:35 PM EDT2013-06-18 01:35:53 GMT
Day 15 ends with no sign of the missing East Toledo toddler. FBI divers spent Monday combing the Maumee River for 18-month-old Elaina Steinfurth. The search boast spent five hours on the water near the
FBI divers spent Monday combing the Maumee River for 18-month-old Elaina Steinfurth.
Monday, June 17 2013 9:25 PM EDT2013-06-18 01:25:26 GMT
Three missing Michigan brothers will be featured on national television this week. Andrew, Alexander and Tanner Skelton went missing from their father's home more than two years ago. John Skelton is
Three missing Michigan brothers will be featured on national television this week. Andrew, Alexander and Tanner Skelton went missing from their father's home more than two years ago. Former America's Most Wanted host John Walsh is investigating the case. He and a camera crew spent time in Morenci last December.
Monday, June 17 2013 9:18 PM EDT2013-06-18 01:18:25 GMT
It's been two weeks and counting and there are still no signs of a missing toddler from East Toledo. Elaina Steinfurth was last seen June 2. Since her disappearance, investigators and volunteers have
It's been two weeks and counting and there are still no signs of a missing toddler from East Toledo. Elaina Steinfurth was last seen June 2.
Monday, June 17 2013 7:57 PM EDT2013-06-17 23:57:59 GMT
Hail to the size of ping pong balls and golf balls, funnel clouds and uprooted, large trees have all been listed among the storm reports from central parts of the Lower Peninsula of Michigan
Hail to the size of ping pong balls and golf balls, funnel clouds and uprooted, large trees have all been listed among the storm reports from central parts of the Lower Peninsula of Michigan this Monday afternoon and evening.
Monday, June 17 2013 7:57 PM EDT2013-06-17 23:57:59 GMT
Hail to the size of ping pong balls and golf balls, funnel clouds and uprooted, large trees have all been listed among the storm reports from central parts of the Lower Peninsula of Michigan
Hail to the size of ping pong balls and golf balls, funnel clouds and uprooted, large trees have all been listed among the storm reports from central parts of the Lower Peninsula of Michigan this Monday afternoon and evening.
Relax, Ohio motorists. Gas prices are moving back down.
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) - Relax, Ohio motorists. Gas prices are moving back down. After hovering around $4 a gallon for a couple weeks because of refinery problems in the Great Lakes region, prices at the
Federal agents are searching a field in suburban Detroit where a man who believes he knows where Jimmy Hoffa was buried has said remains of the former Teamsters leader might be found.
Federal agents are searching a field in suburban Detroit where a man who believes he knows where Jimmy Hoffa was buried has said remains of the former Teamsters leader might be found.
Monday, June 17 2013 9:35 PM EDT2013-06-18 01:35:53 GMT
Day 15 ends with no sign of the missing East Toledo toddler. FBI divers spent Monday combing the Maumee River for 18-month-old Elaina Steinfurth. The search boast spent five hours on the water near the
FBI divers spent Monday combing the Maumee River for 18-month-old Elaina Steinfurth.
Monday, June 17 2013 11:10 PM EDT2013-06-18 03:10:56 GMT
Around this time every year, millions of little mayflies blanket Lake Erie communities like Port Clinton, Sandusky and parts of Toledo. Despite some water quality issues in the last few years, the mayfly
Around this time every year, millions of little mayflies blanket Lake Erie communities like Port Clinton, Sandusky and parts of Toledo.
Monday, June 17 2013 9:25 PM EDT2013-06-18 01:25:26 GMT
Three missing Michigan brothers will be featured on national television this week. Andrew, Alexander and Tanner Skelton went missing from their father's home more than two years ago. John Skelton is
Three missing Michigan brothers will be featured on national television this week. Andrew, Alexander and Tanner Skelton went missing from their father's home more than two years ago. Former America's Most Wanted host John Walsh is investigating the case. He and a camera crew spent time in Morenci last December.
Monday, June 17 2013 7:57 PM EDT2013-06-17 23:57:59 GMT
Hail to the size of ping pong balls and golf balls, funnel clouds and uprooted, large trees have all been listed among the storm reports from central parts of the Lower Peninsula of Michigan
Hail to the size of ping pong balls and golf balls, funnel clouds and uprooted, large trees have all been listed among the storm reports from central parts of the Lower Peninsula of Michigan this Monday afternoon and evening.
Monday, June 17 2013 6:22 PM EDT2013-06-17 22:22:02 GMT
Adam Cassidy put his blood sweat and tears into serving our country, but now he's looking for an army of his own. "I was blown up like several times. I have brain injuries and I have Post Traumatic Stress
Adam Cassidy put his blood sweat and tears into serving our country, but now he's looking for an army of his own.
Monday, June 17 2013 6:12 PM EDT2013-06-17 22:12:32 GMT
Toledo taxpayers may be on the hook for more than$100,000 to reimburse the federal government for sloppy home rehabilitation work. It stems from a program aimed at helping people make necessary repairs. Sometimes
An audit by the Department of Housing and Urban Development reveals a lack of oversight by Toledo into a federal home rehabilitation program meant sloppy, costly, unfinished work.
Monday, June 17 2013 6:06 PM EDT2013-06-17 22:06:19 GMT
Erie County police thought they were working a theft case at the Sandusky Walmart, but it turned into a drug bust. Perkins Township police say 21-year-old Esteban Ramirez and a child were running from
Erie County police thought they were working a theft case at the Sandusky Walmart, but it turned into a drug bust.
Monday, June 17 2013 9:18 PM EDT2013-06-18 01:18:25 GMT
It's been two weeks and counting and there are still no signs of a missing toddler from East Toledo. Elaina Steinfurth was last seen June 2. Since her disappearance, investigators and volunteers have
It's been two weeks and counting and there are still no signs of a missing toddler from East Toledo. Elaina Steinfurth was last seen June 2.
Monday, June 17 2013 9:03 PM EDT2013-06-18 01:03:21 GMT
Most movies are made in big cities like Los Angeles or New York. But three local filmmakers are raising money to shoot their movie right here in Toledo and you can help. They need to raise $100,000
Three local filmmakers seeking $100,000 in donations in order to shoot "Market Corrections" in Toledo using local cast and crew.
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