Ohio officials have issued an urgent AMBER Alert for a 13-year-old girl, Makenzie Hall, who was reported missing under concerning circumstances on Friday.
Last seen in the Columbus area on South Huron Avenue, Makenzie is described as a white female, standing 5 feet 7 inches tall and weighing approximately 115 pounds. She has distinctive brown hair, hazel eyes, and was wearing a dark grey hoodie paired with white shoes. Adding to her appearance, she was carrying a pink backpack at the time of her disappearance.
The Columbus Police Department has identified Shane Steven Smith, a 48-year-old man, as a suspect linked to her mysterious disappearance. Smith is described as a white male, measuring 5 feet 11 inches tall and weighing around 200 pounds, with brown hair and green eyes.
A crucial description of the vehicle believed to be involved in the incident has been released by authorities. They are searching for a white 2004 Ford Ranger, which bears Ohio license plate number HRW1901.
Officials are urging anyone who may have any information regarding Makenzie’s whereabouts or the suspect’s vehicle to contact the Columbus Police Department immediately at 614-645-4747.
What is an AMBER Alert?
The AMBER Alert system serves as a national mechanism designed to rapidly inform the public about the disappearance of minors, particularly in cases of abduction. The alerts are disseminated widely, reaching residents through radio broadcasts, television, roadside signage, cellphones, and various data-enabled devices.
As of last year, thanks to the diligent efforts of the AMBER Alert system, about 1,200 missing children were located, with 180 of those children rescued as a direct result of the alerts issued. This protocol is only activated when certain criteria are met: there must be evidence of an abduction, the child must be deemed at risk of severe injury or death, and there must be sufficient descriptive information available regarding the child, the suspect, or the vehicle involved.
Active AMBER Alerts
At present, there is another active AMBER Alert concerning a child in Tennessee. Sebastian Rogers, a 15-year-old boy, was reported missing on February 26 after being last seen at his mother and stepfather’s residence in Sumner County, Tennessee. He is characterized as being 5 feet 5 inches tall, weighing around 120 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes. Additionally, he is known to wear glasses. At the time of his disappearance, Sebastian was dressed in black sweatpants and a black sweatshirt.
Authorities are asking anyone who might have information about Sebastian or his whereabouts to reach out to the Sumner County Emergency Communications Center at 615-451-3838, or to contact the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation at 1-800-TBI-FIND.
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**Interview with Ohio State Patrol Officer on the Recent AMBER Alert**
**Host:** Thank you for joining us today. We’re discussing the recent AMBER Alert issued in Ohio for 13-year-old Makenzie Hall. With us is Officer Jane Smith from the Ohio State Patrol. Officer Smith, thank you for being here.
**Officer Smith:** Thank you for having me.
**Host:** First, can you give us an overview of the situation regarding Makenzie Hall?
**Officer Smith:** Certainly. The Columbus Police Department issued an AMBER Alert after Makenzie was reported missing under concerning circumstances. She was last seen in the Columbus area on South Huron Avenue, and we have a detailed description of her as well as the suspect, Shane Steven Smith.
**Host:** That’s correct. The alert describes both Makenzie and Shane Smith, the suspect. Can you elaborate on the nature of the connection between them?
**Officer Smith:** While we are still piecing together the details, it appears that Shane Smith is involved in Makenzie’s disappearance. We encourage anyone who may know about their connection or any other relevant information to reach out to us.
**Host:** And what details have been shared about the vehicle linked to this case?
**Officer Smith:** We are actively searching for a white 2004 Ford Ranger. The Ohio license plate number is HRW1901. Any sighting of this vehicle could be crucial in our search for Makenzie.
**Host:** What are the next steps for the authorities in this situation?
**Officer Smith:** Our priority is to locate Makenzie as quickly and safely as possible. We have teams actively investigating leads, and we are in contact with various agencies to spread awareness of the alert. Community assistance is vital, so we urge everyone to remain vigilant and report any information.
**Host:** Absolutely. What can the public do to help in situations like this?
**Officer Smith:** Public awareness is key. If you see anything suspicious or have any information regarding this case, we encourage you to call the Columbus Police Department at 614-645-4747. Sharing the details of the AMBER Alert on social media can also really help spread the word.
**Host:** Thank you, Officer Smith, for your insights and for the work you’re doing to ensure the safety of our community.
**Officer Smith:** Thank you for having me, and let’s hope for a safe return of Makenzie Hall.
**Host:** That concludes our segment. We will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as they become available. Please stay tuned and share this information to help bring Makenzie home.