Missing Liberty Center girl found safe in Cleveland

LIBERTY CENTER, Ohio (WTVG) - On Friday, the U.S. Marshals Service Missing Child Unit and the Henry County Sheriff’s Office were able to locate and recover 8-year-old Elena Kalvitz on the 3400 block of W 95th St. in Cleveland.

The HCSO initiated this investigation after the child was ordered into the care of Henry County Job and Family Services yesterday. The HCSO was able to determine the child was taken by her mother and father, Gregory Kalvitz, 43, and Jessica Lynn Downing, 32, and possibly fled to the Cleveland area. Warrants were issued in Henry County Municipal Court for both Downing and Kalvitz charging them with interference with custody.

There was a high level of concern for the child’s safety following outbursts from Gregory Kalvitz in Court and a suspected homemade meth lab was found at their residence by HCSO. The USMS MCU began assisting the HCSO early this morning and were able to recover Elena and arrest Downing and Kalvitz. Downing and Kalvitz will be booked in jail in Cleveland, OH and Elena Kalvitz will be returned to Henry Co. JFS care.

U.S. Marshal Pete Elliott stated, “I could not be prouder of the swift, diligent work of our team and local partners. This case is a prime example of why strong relationships with our local law enforcement agencies is so important. This young child was recovered safely and removed from a potentially dangerous situation because of it.”

Henry County Sheriff Michael Bodenbender stated, “I couldn’t agree more of the cooperation between the agencies involved and thank the Marshals for the swift action. I will sleep much better tonight, knowing the child is safe, and Greg Kalvitz and Jessica Downing are in custody. I would also like to thank Ohio BCI&I along with the Ohio Attorney General’s Office for their instrumental help with this case and investigation.”

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