CINCINNATI (WXIX) – The New York man who was in contact with a missing teenager from Colerain Township has now been federally indicted by a grand jury, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office of the Southern District of Ohio.
The attorney’s office says Kyle Lawrence, 43, of Buffalo, is facing sexual exploitation charges including transportation with the intent to engage in criminal sexual activity (a crime punishable by at least 10 years and up to life in prison) and transportation of child pornography (five to 20 years in prison).
Colerain Township police said that 16-year-old Madison Fields, who was last seen leaving InTown Suites on Colerain Avenue Feb. 13, had contact with Lawrence, with evidence showing she got into a car rented under his name and stayed at a hotel.
While Lawrence has not been charged with her disappearance, U.S. attorneys said that he drove a 20-hour round trip in a snowstorm to pick up the teenager to have sex and took her to a hotel in Kentucky. Prosecutors also said he had a photo of the girl on his phone.
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The FBI had been tracking Lawrence after he traveled to Canada in May 2024 to meet a 15-year-old, only to be met by a “citizen vigilante group.”
The attorney called the facts of the case “disturbing,” and said Lawrence admitted to having suicidal thoughts and a history of substance abuse. The US attorney said his mental health issues, combined with the alleged crimes, are reasons for his detainment.
Fields’ family continues to search for the missing girl. She is described as five feet and four inches tall, weighing about 125 lbs, with brown hair and green eyes.
Authorities and Madison’s family are urging anyone with information to come forward by contacting Colerain Township Police Department at 513-321-2677 or 513-385-7504 or the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children at 1-800-843-5678.
His next court appearance is set for Friday.
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