OH MADISON BELL: Missing from Greenfield, OH - 17 May 2020 - *Found Safe*

Madison “Maddie” Bell left her home in Greenfield, Ohio, around 10 a.m. Sunday morning to go tanning at Country Corner Market, Highland County Sheriff Donnie Barrera told Dateline. But there is no evidence that she made it to the salon, he said.


He added that she was never spotted in Highland County and that the last time she was seen was at her home.

“I was cleaning when she left and she yelled out, ‘Mom, I’m going to tan. I’ll be right back,’” Maddie’s mother, Melissa Bell, told Dateline as she struggled to hold back tears. “But she never came back.”

Melissa said she could always trust Maddie to go straight to the tanning salon and come right back. Sometimes Maddie would stop at McDonald’s for an iced coffee. But when she did, she would always call or text so her mother didn’t worry.

As the hours passed with no word from Maddie, Melissa said she began to panic.

“I tried not to panic - I know she just turned 18,” Melissa said. “But something felt wrong.”

Madison BellCourtesy of Bell family
Maddie’s boyfriend also attempted to reach her, but Melissa said he was unable to. Melissa tracked her daughter’scell phone and it pinged back and forth between the tanning salon and a church near the salon.

So Melissa and Maddie’s boyfriend drove toward the tanning salon keeping their eyes on the road and embankments, thinking she might have been in a car accident.

“Every possible scenario was playing through my head,” Melissa said. “But I never imagined this.”

When they pulled up to the Good Shepherd Church which is located on S.R. 28, just 100 yards from the tanning salon, they spotted Maddie’s car in the parking lot. It was unlocked and the keys were in the ignition. Maddie’s cell phone was on the driver’s seat.

“She would have never left her cell phone in the car,” Melissa said. “And we don’t know if she pulled into this parking lot on her own or if someone coerced her to stop. She was a very cautious girl. She wouldn’t have stopped for someone she didn’t know.”

Sheriff Barrera told Dateline they received a report from a church employee who had spotted a white car with California plates in the parking lot early that Sunday morning.
More at link:

Mother pleads for safe return of missing 18-year-old daughter Madison ‘Maddie’ Bell who disappeared Sunday from Highland County, Ohio

Madison “Maddie” Bell, 18, was last seen around 10 a.m. on Sunday, May 17, 2020, when she left her home in Greenfield, Ohio, to go tanning at the Country Corner Market over the county line in Highland County. But she never made it there. Her car was found nearby in the Good Shepherd Church...

www.nbcnews.com

MADISON BELL was headed to the tanning booth when she went missing. Her car was found in a church parking lot nearby. Greenfield #OHIO May 17, 2020

Police are looking for a white car, possibly a Nissan sedan, with California plates, that was seen in the area. Anyone with information on Maddie’s whereabouts is asked to call the Highland County Sheriff’s Office, 937-393-1421, the Ross Co...

www.crimewatchers.net

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

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The latest Tweets from Christian Hauser (@ChristianWKRC12). I'm a multimedia journalist at Local 12 News. I shoot, write and edit all of my stories. I'm so happy to be back in my hometown reporting on local stories. Cincinnati, OH

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[Kimster]

I'm still getting an abduction vibe on this case. I hope and pray they find her alive very soon! Keep an eye out in other states, too. She could be anywhere!

 

[kdg411]

Cassie Bolin said that Maddie is a beloved only child who loves her parents in return. “She has everything. She wouldn’t just up and leave.”

The teenager is especially devoted to her dogs. Bolin said she refers to them as her brothers. Maddie, a former cheer captain, just graduated high school and had several celebrations to look forward to. She is headed to college in the fall.

Maddie’s parents are struggling with her disappearance. Cassie said Maddie’s Mom is afraid to go to sleep. “We can’t get her to sleep or eat. She’s afraid if she goes to sleep, somebody is going to find information or they’ll need her or Maddie will call.” Maddie’s father is equally upset but not saying as much because he’s the quiet type.

The Search
Bolin joined hundreds of others to search near the site of Maddie’s disappearance.

“They have a big place set up at a community center. There were 150 people or more. ATVs, horses, everyone was out searching. We searched for probably three house. We didn’t find anything.”

The White Car
The only clue in Madison’s disappearance is a video of a white car pulling out of the church parking lot soon after Madison pulled in. The license plate isn’t visible on the video. Several witnesses said the car had California plates.

• Many people found that strange in light of COVID-19 travel restrictions. Police have an alternate explanation. They said many rental cars have out-of-state license plates.
• The car was described by some witnesses as a Nissan and others as a Chevy. There was even a sighting of a white car with California plates in Portsmouth. However, when police checked it out, it turned out to be unfounded.
• Witnesses said they saw a man hanging around the church that morning. Others say they saw a woman with him.
• Madison’s mother does not believe she would have gotten out of her car is there was a strange man in the parking lot. Though she thinks it’s possible she might come to the aid of a woman in distress.

Help Bring Maddie Home

The cousin of missing teenager Madison “Maddie” Bell wants your help to bring her beloved cousin home. Cassie Bolin, who

www.sciotocountydailynews.com

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

Sheriff releases photo of car that could be connected to missing high school senior

The Highland County Sheriff's Office released a photo to WLWT Wednesday afternoon of a car that they're looking for in connection to the disappearance of a missing McClain High School senior.

www.wlwt.com

Sheriff releases photo of car that could be connected to missing high school senior

The Highland County Sheriff's Office released a photo to WLWT Wednesday afternoon of a car that they're looking for in connection to the disappearance of a missing McClain High School senior.


“There's no reason, so far, that we found, why she would've pulled into that parking lot,” Barrera said.

The sheriff’s office has possession of the car, and Barrera said they found nothing out of the ordinary in it.

“Nothing disheveled or looked like it had been rummaged through or anything like that,” Barrera said.

Barrera said a church employee saw a white four-door sedan in the church parking lot Sunday morning and it stood out because services were canceled due to the health crisis. The employee told investigators she thought the car had California plates on it and at one point, saw a white man near it.

That car was caught on security cameras from the corner market leaving the church lot Sunday morning and heading toward Leesburg. Investigators would like to speak to the person driving the car.


Barrera confirmed Wednesday that the FBI and Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation is assisting with the investigation. He said his office has received hundreds of tips and tips from nearly a dozen states. He said not all have been credible.

“With the FBI's help and the technology they have, there's a lot of things we're working on that will hopefully be brought to light in the near future,” Barrera said.

Texas Equusearch has been called in to assist with the search for Maddie.

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

Quite large prayer gathering for Maddie this evening. Ohio does still have a ban on mass gatherings (more than 10 people).
Very large crowd with almost no masks in sight. I understand wanting to support Maddie and her family but there has to be a better way. Stay healthy, Ohio!

 

[GrandmaBear]

Sheriff releases photo of car that could be connected to missing high school senior

The Highland County Sheriff's Office released a photo to WLWT Wednesday afternoon of a car that they're looking for in connection to the disappearance of a missing McClain High School senior.

www.wlwt.com

Sheriff releases photo of car that could be connected to missing high school senior

The Highland County Sheriff's Office released a photo to WLWT Wednesday afternoon of a car that they're looking for in connection to the disappearance of a missing McClain High School senior.


“There's no reason, so far, that we found, why she would've pulled into that parking lot,” Barrera said.

The sheriff’s office has possession of the car, and Barrera said they found nothing out of the ordinary in it.

“Nothing disheveled or looked like it had been rummaged through or anything like that,” Barrera said.

Barrera said a church employee saw a white four-door sedan in the church parking lot Sunday morning and it stood out because services were canceled due to the health crisis. The employee told investigators she thought the car had California plates on it and at one point, saw a white man near it.

That car was caught on security cameras from the corner market leaving the church lot Sunday morning and heading toward Leesburg. Investigators would like to speak to the person driving the car.


Barrera confirmed Wednesday that the FBI and Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation is assisting with the investigation. He said his office has received hundreds of tips and tips from nearly a dozen states. He said not all have been credible.

“With the FBI's help and the technology they have, there's a lot of things we're working on that will hopefully be brought to light in the near future,” Barrera said.

Texas Equusearch has been called in to assist with the search for Maddie.


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I am trying to stay hopeful on this one that she left on her own or with someone who was trustworthy and that she did not mistakenly trust.

 

[Kimster]

I'm so thankful they got a picture of that car! And I pray that whoever took her is keeping her alive.

 

[GrandmaBear]

I am just hopeful that due to her just turning 18/graduating, perhaps she wanted out. I would have to look back but I am pretty sure it was said even though her phone, etc. was in the car that she had a debit card and driver's license on her (although I do worry that was for the tanning). Since she lived there maybe she was aware the cameras at the church were dummy cameras... and she wanted no evidence of her leaving? Again I can think of more than a few people who did something like that at 18 thinking NOW I can make my own decisions (just hoping). I don't always think this way but in this case I am trying hard to believe this is possible and hope for the best. Maybe she had a 2nd phone, kids are notorious for that if the parents are tracking them or keeping tabs on them...

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

FACEBOOK - Bring Maddie Bell Home - https://www.facebook.com/FindMaddieBell


Maddie's Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100009055664700


What a beautiful HIGH SCHOOL campus....

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

I am just hopeful that due to her just turning 18/graduating, perhaps she wanted out. I would have to look back but I am pretty sure it was said even though her phone, etc. was in the car that she had a debit card and driver's license on her (although I do worry that was for the tanning). Since she lived there maybe she was aware the cameras at the church were dummy cameras... and she wanted no evidence of her leaving? Again I can think of more than a few people who did something like that at 18 thinking NOW I can make my own decisions (just hoping). I don't always think this way but in this case I am trying hard to believe this is possible and hope for the best. Maybe she had a 2nd phone, kids are notorious for that if the parents are tracking them or keeping tabs on them...

Her mom posted on Facebook about the local Baccalaureate event. That's a religious service for the graduates. It's possible that Maddie and her family were involved in the church community. Not sure if it would have been that specific church, but she may have been there and could very well have known the cameras didn't work. JMO.

 

[GrandmaBear]

Her mom posted on Facebook about the local Baccalaureate event. That's a religious service for the graduates. It's possible that Maddie and her family were involved in the church community. Not sure if it would have been that specific church, but she may have been there and could very well have known the cameras didn't work. JMO.

I also think (I still have not watched it) the mother said in the podcast with Gray Hughes that Madison had a goal/dream of living on the beach which when one pairs it with CA plates would make one wonder (although the plates are still debated and not confirmed from what I understand). I am not trying to think she left willingly but am talking about it because that would be the best case scenario most likely.

Without going into long winded examples, I can think of some, both of people I knew and of cases that we probably all heard about at the time where they planned their own disappearance and even some fairly recently.

I agree, this is a very small area and she lived there as did her friends and they very well may have been well aware of where there were cameras and where there were not...

 

[kdg411]

I'll be shocked if this resulted in her running away. This feels more like a crime of opportunity and wrong place @ the wrong time. However, this is jmo.

 

[GrandmaBear]

I'll be shocked if this resulted in her running away. This feels more like a crime of opportunity and wrong place @ the wrong time. However, this is jmo.

I can see that but don't you still think they may have known about the cameras, known her through online or formerly in her area, an ex, etc.? Someone who was just traveling through I think would probably look for a busier area and could not be sure they would find a female alone in that area, etc. and get her to stop, I would think they almost had to be after HER specifically or have seen her or gained her trust online...? Jmo also.

 

[Kimster]

I am just hopeful that due to her just turning 18/graduating, perhaps she wanted out. I would have to look back but I am pretty sure it was said even though her phone, etc. was in the car that she had a debit card and driver's license on her (although I do worry that was for the tanning). Since she lived there maybe she was aware the cameras at the church were dummy cameras... and she wanted no evidence of her leaving? Again I can think of more than a few people who did something like that at 18 thinking NOW I can make my own decisions (just hoping). I don't always think this way but in this case I am trying hard to believe this is possible and hope for the best. Maybe she had a 2nd phone, kids are notorious for that if the parents are tracking them or keeping tabs on them...

This would be a great scenario, but I don't think that's what happened in this case. I'm going to hope with you, though.

 

[GrandmaBear]

This would be a great scenario, but I don't think that's what happened in this case. I'm going to hope with you, though.

Yeah, not saying I am sold on it but in many cases, I see little reason to hope and in this one, I see a very small window of hope, or at least of one that she is alive and held possibly. I remember the runaway bride (don't mean the movie) and she staged her own disappearance, several months back there was a wife and daughter from Wisconsin who did the same and several years back a college girl stated her own also in Madison, WI... I guess I look at she had been with this bf living with her since she was 13, had apparently a very caring good mother but one who may have been a bit overprotective, etc. , she is 18 and is finished with school. That is not a slam I mean it as a hope. My actual bigger belief though is for those very same reasons, she may have been vulnerable to an online friend she thought she knew or someone else.

I know stranger abductions happen but I just believe it is pretty rare compared to at least "some" connection, even if it is one the victim is unaware of (stalking, online stalking, someone they met and rejected, etc.).

So I am like you, I am going to hope too but what I mentioned I don't put a lot of store in (that she left by choice), just hopeful she did.

 

[Oneofthem]

It’s possible this guy is local or semi local and had a rental car with CA plates.

Sounds like another Jayme Closs.

There are a huge number of insane people now.

There are so many sad cases and missing persons. Breaks your heart to follow them.

 

[GrandmaBear]

It’s possible this guy is local or semi local and had a rental car with CA plates.

Sounds like another Jayme Closs.

There are a huge number of insane people now.

There are so many sad cases and missing persons. Breaks your heart to follow them.

Good point. He also could have moved there, rented a place and have out of state plates, many do that and don't switch for a time or sometimes ever...

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

Madison Bell: FBI joins search for missing teen from Highland County in Ohio

Investigators say they found Madison Bell's car abandoned in a church parking lot with her keys and cell phone left inside later that day.

www.cincinnati.com

Madison Bell: FBI joins search for missing teen from Highland County in Ohio

As the sun set on day four of the search for Madison Bell, residents of Greenfield, Ohio, gathered at a local church to pray for her safe return.

In the time since her disappearance, volunteers have descended upon Highland County and fanned out across the region, disbursing flyers as far away as Kentucky.

The FBI has joined in the search as well. Bell’s mother, Melissa Bell, said the FBI is working with state and local officials to find her daughter.

Gov. DeWine pleads with Ohioans to help find missing 18-year-old Madison Bell

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine took a moment out of his daily coronavirus press conference to ask the public for their help in locating a missing 18-year-old woman.

www.cleveland19.com

Gov. DeWine pleads with Ohioans to help find missing 18-year-old Madison Bell

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine took a moment out of his daily coronavirus press conference to ask the public for their help in locating a missing 18-year-old woman.

The Governor asked for a picture of Madison “Maddie” Bell to be displayed during the briefing.

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

Family of missing teen now offering a reward for information that leads to her location

Update: The Highland County Sheriff’s Office has released a picture of a man who may have information about the disappearance of 18-year-old Madison Bell. GREENFIELD, Ohio (WLWT) — At an emot…

www.nbc4i.com

Family of missing teen now offering a reward for information that leads to her location

At an emotional vigil for Madison Bell, the Greenfield teen who mysteriously disappeared on Sunday, May 17, her father spoke to reporters.

“Just whoever’s got her, please just drop her off somewhere. We won’t worry about it as long as she’s home safe and sound,” said Bill Bell, father of 18-year-old Maddie Bell.

Now after four days, investigators are turning to what could be a key piece of evidence their search for missing Ohio teenager Madison Bell.

Investigators think another vehicle could be connected to her disappearance.


Maddie’s family is now offering a $15,000 reward for any information that will help locate Madison.

 

[Oneofthem]

Good point. He also could have moved there, rented a place and have out of state plates, many do that and don't switch for a time or sometimes ever...

I remember renting vehicles to go to Texas several times last year. All of them had license plates from other States. This doesn’t mean the guy is from California or Ohio. She could be anywhere in the US. Sad.