CANTON, Ohio — Two missing children from Canton were recovered in Reykjavik, Iceland, Jan. 10, according to a press release from the United States Marshals Service.
The children were reported missing by a family member on Oct. 25 last year. The children are 8 and 9 years old.
“The report indicated the mother (34) stopped taking her mental health medication, abandoned her apartment, and the children stopped attending school,” the release reads.
Investigations led to Denver and eventually across the Atlantic to London, England. Then to the Island of Jersey and finally “a remote fishing village in Iceland.” They were eventually found at a Reykjavik hotel by police in Iceland.
“The children were placed in the care of Iceland social services until a trusted family member could get them,” the release reads. “The mother was placed in a hospital where she will remain until she is well enough to travel back to the U.S.”
The investigation combined efforts with the following organizations:
- The Canton Police Department
- The U.S. Marshals Service
- Interpol
- State Department
- National Center for Missing and Exploited Children
- Authorities in England and Iceland
“The collaboration of effort in this case can’t be understated,” U.S. Marshal Pete Elliott said in the release. “The ability to respond and recover these children abroad is an extremely difficult task. Our investigators did an outstanding job. We are lucky to have such strong and dedicated law enforcement partners and credit should be given to them for helping bring these children home.”