TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) -- Florida Department of Law Enforcement takes a look at local missing children and how the Ohio girls who are now free has shed new light on these cases.
"We don't give up hope no matter how long the case is," said Carol Frederick.
Carol Frederick with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement says they don't stop searching for any adult or child even if they've been declared dead.
FDLE says more than 40,000 people are reported missing every year.
"We want people to report any suspicions that they have because its the only shot we have at preventing a problem," said Frederick.
Many people are now asking when those suspicions are reported, how much authority does law enforcement have to enter a home?
For instance, in a case where three girls were held captive in an Ohio home for 10 years, neighbors in Ohio say they reported suspicious activity to law enforcement a long time ago. Frederick says sometimes officers may miss signs.
"Realize that's why we have multiple agencies go out on these cases and even in interviews you want to partner up in case you miss something," said Frederick.
"...until you find a body or evidence or the somebody has been murdered, then you always have that hope," said Franklin County Sheriff Mike Mock.
This case has shed new light on local missing children like Portesha Mooris from Monticello and Pamela Kinney who went missing and was later found murdered in Franklin County. Deputies still haven't found her killer but are now offering a $20,000 reward for anyone who has information.
This Ohio story gives them hope for justice.
"If someone's missing, you always hang on to that hope and hope that they're still alive and they will be found," said Mock.
"Even if you looked at this case hundred times look at again because you might find some information that will help recover a loved one," said Frederick.
