Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

State Using Data To Prevent Potential Human Trafficking

Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine
Statehouse News Bureau
Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine

State investigators are ramping up their efforts to put an end to human trafficking by taking a closer look at current statistics and data. 

The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation will begin analyzing a missing children database to look for any indications of human trafficking.

This database is of children who have gone missing at one point or another but may have returned.

Attorney General Mike DeWine says if investigators spot any red flags, they will notify local law enforcement who would then intervene in some way.

“This is something that we rely to a great extent on the public to identify for us. So what we’re doing today is going beyond that and looking at some data to see if we can at least get some indication that someone maybe being trafficked.”

DeWine says this is an added responsibility for current investigators and does not require additional hiring.

Copyright 2017 The Statehouse News Bureau

Andy Chow is a general assignment state government reporter who focuses on environmental, energy, agriculture, and education-related issues. He started his journalism career as an associate producer with ABC 6/FOX 28 in Columbus before becoming a producer with WBNS 10TV.