Ohio Amber Alert: Missing 13-year-old from Columbus found, suspect at large

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- An Amber Alert issued Friday for a missing teenage girl from Columbus has been canceled, as she was recovered at 6:19 p.m. The suspect involved in her disappearance remains at-large.

Springfield police said the 13-year-old was found safely in Springfield. Springfield police also confirmed suspect Shane Smith, 48, is a Springfield resident, and Columbus dispatchers said he may be armed and dangerous.

According to court documents, Smith was known to the girl and her family, and allegedly compelled her to run away with him to begin life as a couple in a new state. Court documents also allege the two have had a sexual relationship.

She was reported missing about 10 a.m. from the 400 block of South Huron Avenue in the Westgate neighborhood. She was last seen with Smith, who was driving a white 2004 Ford Ranger with Ohio license plate No. HRW1901. Investigators confirmed around 6 p.m. that they had found the truck in Springfield, but had not located the girl or Smith.

Smith is white, 5-11 and 200 pounds with brown hair and green eyes. According to Clark County court documents, Smith has two open court cases. Smith was indicted for felonious assault with a firearm in October 2023, and another indictment was filed in February 2024 for cocaine possession.

The alert was issued about 3:45 p.m.

Anyone with information may call 911 or 877-AMBER-OH.