7 Year-Old Girl Rescued from Abduction in Ohio, Father Killed After Abducting Her

A heroic rescue unfolded in Ohio as law enforcement agencies collaborated to save a 7-year-old girl from her non-custodial father, Charles Alexander. The sequence of events began in Empire, Ohio, where Alexander abducted his daughter after attempting to pick her up from school without custodial rights. Following an altercation and a vehicular incident involving another female, Alexander fled north in a Ford F-150.

Law enforcement units, including the Medina Township Police Department, Ohio State Highway Patrol, Brunswick Division of Police, Montville Police Department, U.S. Marshals Service, and Medina Fire Department, initiated a search as Alexander continued to evade authorities. Despite switching vehicles to a U-Haul that was reportedly rented on a "clean contract," Alexander was eventually located in a parking lot on Center Road in Brunswick.

As officers approached the U-Haul, Alexander attempted to flee, leading to a pursuit captured on dashcam footage. During the chase, Alexander made threatening calls to dispatch, claiming he would harm both his daughter and himself if not left alone. Ultimately, the pursuit came to an end in the Arby's parking lot in Medina Township, where Alexander's actions escalated, prompting law enforcement to take action.

Despite extensive efforts to negotiate with Alexander, who repeatedly threatened his daughter's safety, the situation reached a critical point. An Ohio State Highway Patrol trooper made the difficult decision to use lethal force, ending the threat posed by Alexander and ensuring the young girl's safety. The prompt actions of law enforcement led to the successful rescue of the child, who was found unharmed and reunited with her mother.

The aftermath of the incident saw Alexander being pronounced dead at the scene by the Medina County Coroner. Sheriff Terry Grice emphasized the challenging circumstances faced by the trooper involved in the shooting, highlighting the decision's role in safeguarding the girl. The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation is actively supporting the Medina County Sheriff's Office in the investigation, reflecting a commitment to thoroughness and justice in the wake of this intense ordeal.