A New York man allegedly connected to missing Ohio teen Madison Fields has been indicted on child sex crimes.
According to the US Department of Justice, 43-year-old Kyle Lawrence, of Buffalo, appeared in federal court Tuesday in Cincinnati, where a federal grand jury indicted him on multiple felonies, including:
- Transportation of child pornography
- Transportation with the intent to engage in criminal sexual activity
- Travel with the intent to engage in illicit conduct
Lawrence has not specifically been charged with 16-year-old Madison’s disappearance, but attorneys said he made at least two trips to meet up with the teen.
During one trip, he allegedly drove 20 hours (round trip) in a snowstorm to meet up with her for sex, FOX 19 reports.
Lawrence allegedly took the minor to a Kentucky hotel. Prosecutors stated they found a photo of the pair on Lawrence’s phone.
Lawrence also allegedly offered her “vape pens in exchange for sex,” WLWT reports.
As CrimeOnline previously reported, Madison was last seen February 13 at around 4 p.m. in Cinncinati, leaving the the InTown Suites on Colerain Avenue.
Madison’s parents, Tyler and Carrie Hirn, told KVAL 13 that she returned home from school that day and asked if she could spend the night at a friend’s house.
Carrie Hirn gave her permission and hasn’t seen her daughter since.
“I thought she was going straight to her friend’s house,” Carrie said.
However, her younger sister said Madison supposedly left to meet an 18-year-old named “Josh,” whom she met on Session, an encrypted messaging app.
While reviewing security footage from Madison’s home in January, police linked her to Lawrence.
The footage showed her getting into a black Jeep Grand Cherokee with New York license plates. Plates readers and receipts confirmed Lawrence rented the vehicle two weeks before Madison vanished.
On January 31, they reportedly stayed together at a Cincinnati hotel. A photo obtained by law enforcement showed Lawrence “in a swimming pool at a hotel with Maddie,” according to her mother.
Police arrested Lawrence, a married father with children, earlier this month in Buffalo.
In 2024, Lawrence became the center of an FBI investigation after aa citizen vigilante group confronted him in Canada, where he had allegedly traveled to meet up for a sexual encounter with a minor.
Previous Video Coverage
The US attorney cited mental health issues and Lawrence’s previous crimes as reasons to keep him behind bars. He remains in federal custody at the Butler County Jail.
Meanwhile, the search for Madison continues.
Madison was last seen in camouflage pants, a black “Champion” hooded sweatshirt, and black shoes. She left with a black backpack and a white grocery bag.
She’s described as a white female who weighs 125 pounds, with brown hair and green eyes.
Anyone with information on her whereabouts is urged to contact Crime Stoppers at 513-352-3040 or the Colerain Police Department immediately at 513-385-7504.
Tipsters can also submit information on the Colerainn PD digital tip line.
Check back for updates.
For the latest true crime and justice news, subscribe to the ‘Crime Stories with Nancy Grace’ podcast.
[Feature Photo: Madison Fields/Facebook]