SHAKER HEIGHTS, Ohio — A 3-year-old girl reported missing from Fort Wayne, Indiana, has been found safe by Shaker Heights police.
Shaker Heights police stated that a woman from Fort Wayne was attacked by her ex-boyfriend in January. After the assault, he took off with their 3-year-old daughter, even though the mother has full custody of the child.
The Fort Wayne Police Department received a report about the missing child on March 3. It was revealed later that there was a delay in reporting because the mother had to provide evidence of her sole custodial rights over the girl.
Shaker Heights police were informed on Wednesday that the ex-boyfriend had connections in Northeast Ohio and might have returned to the area. The officers gathered information about the vehicle and possible whereabouts of the child and the ex-boyfriend.
Police officials say Shaker Heights officers teamed up with members of the Orange Police Department to stop the ex-boyfriend at I-271 and Chagrin Boulevard. The 31-year-old man, who allegedly was carrying a firearm, is being held on an outstanding assault/domestic violence warrant from the Fort Wayne Police Department. He has been identified by police as Shaquille Thomas.
Shaker Heights police located the child in the company of another family member at an Aldi on Kinsman Road in Cleveland, adding that she appeared in good health. Social workers from the First CALL program were summoned to help care for the girl.
As of Thursday afternoon, police were making arrangements for the child to be reunited with her mother.
Editor’s note: Police had initially told 3News the child was 4 years old. This story has been updated with the corrected age.
