Missing Child From Ohio Recovered in California

Cleveland, OH – A 4-year-old child who has been missing from the Cleveland area since March 18, 2026, has been safely recovered by U.S. Marshals in California. 

In March of this year, the mother of the child reported that her son was missing and likely with his father.  There was ongoing custody dispute over the child and serious concerns that the father, Isaiah Harden, 29, was going to flee with the child.  Shortly after the child was reported missing, Cleveland Police began working with the U.S. Marshals SPEAR Unit to investigate the child’s whereabouts.  Additionally, in May of this year, Harden was indicted by the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s Office for interference with custody.  The fugitive investigation for Harden was also investigated by the SPEAR Unit.

During the investigation, it was believed that Harden fled the Cleveland area and may have traveled to Texas with the child.  Eventually, investigators were able to track Harden and the child down to southern California.  Members of the Pacific Southwest Regional Fugitive Task Force (PSRFTF) began investigating the case after being contacted by the SPEAR Unit in Ohio.  Law enforcement eventually located the child and arrested the father in a home in the 600 block of Windy Pass in Barstow, CA, approximately halfway between Las Angelas, CA and Las Vegas, NV.  The boy was turned over to San Bernardino County Children & Family Services and Harden was booked into the San Bernardino County jail.

U.S. Marshal Pete Elliott stated, “No matter how far away a missing child may end up, the U.S. Marshals Service will not stop searching for them until they are found.  Those that interfere with the proper custody of young children will also be found and arrested, no matter how far they run and try to hide. We will find you.”

Anyone with information concerning a wanted fugitive can contact the Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force at 1-866-4WANTED (1-866-492-6833), or you can submit a web tip. Reward money is available, and tipsters may remain anonymous.  Follow the U.S. Marshals on Twitter @USMSCleveland.