Toledo Teen Organizes Volunteer Team to Locate Missing Persons

A Teenager’s Mission to Locate Missing Persons in Toledo

In a small but determined effort to address a growing issue in the community, a 19-year-old from Toledo named David Thrush has taken it upon himself to form a grassroots search and rescue team. His mission is clear: to locate missing individuals and help reunite them with their families.

Thrush has been working on this initiative for years, seeking out others who share his passion for helping those in need. After two years of searching, he finally found like-minded volunteers and created a team that now includes three members. The group recently launched its efforts and has already made an impact by assisting families in their search for missing loved ones.

“Whoever goes missing, we go out and we find them,” Thrush said. “It doesn’t matter their age or who they are—we’ll find them no matter what.”

The team has already been involved in several search efforts, including one for Benjamin Earl, who was reported missing on July 15. According to his family, Thrush spent three consecutive days helping to look for him, demonstrating the commitment and dedication of the group.

How the Team Operates

The team relies on information provided by families, as well as community tips and social media to track down missing individuals. They begin by gathering the last known location of the missing person and then systematically check wooded areas, parks, and neighborhoods.

“We get the last known location and we check all the wooded areas, parks, neighborhoods,” Thrush explained. “If we get a lead, we go to that next spot and hope for the best outcome.”

Despite not having access to law enforcement resources, the team remains focused on making a difference. Thrush has even printed his phone number on the back of his shirt, encouraging families to reach out directly if they need assistance.

Community Involvement is Key

Thrush emphasizes the importance of community involvement in their efforts. He encourages others to join the volunteer group or offer support in any way possible.

“We need help from the community,” he said. “If other people want to help us search to find them, and we also need to try to get in touch with the parents to know their last known location.”

Currently, the team is focusing on two cases involving missing 16-year-old girls, Jessika M. Perry and Zoey Gill. Toledo police reports classify both as runaway juveniles. Gill has been missing since early March, while Perry was last seen in late June.

According to reports, Gill had reportedly stayed at a group home for two days. While the home could not discuss her specific case, staff emphasized the importance of community-based search efforts, especially when dealing with missing juveniles.

“A dedicated search and rescue team actively looking for missing juveniles is reassuring and incredibly important,” a member of the group home told WTOL 11. “Every missing child is someone's son or daughter, and having trained professionals and our community committed to finding them brings hope to families and the community.”

Personal Motivation

For Thrush, the motivation behind his work is deeply personal. He understands the pain that comes with losing a loved one, whether it be a child or an adult.

“It feels amazing to have the kids and the adults go back to their families,” he said. “Because if I had someone missing in my family, it would hurt me a lot. But just seeing their looks on their face of them getting reunited, it’s amazing.”

Thrush continues to push forward with his mission, believing that every search can make a difference. He invites anyone interested in joining the volunteer group or supporting their efforts to connect with him through social media.