Amber Alert suspect identified as local school employee

Danielle Langenfeld
·2 min read
29

[Editor’s note: This article has been updated to reflect Cathleen Collins remains in jail on bond and that her case has not yet been bound over to the county court.]

ROCKY RIVER, Ohio (WJW) — The suspect in an early Monday morning AMBER Alert issued by the Rocky River Police Department has been placed on paid leave from her position as an intervention specialist at North Olmsted City Schools.

According to the Rocky River Municipal Court, Cathleen Marie Collins, 40, appeared via video for arraignment on a felony count of burglary shortly after she was taken into custody Monday morning.

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She did not enter a plea. A judge set her bond at $50,000 cash or surety.

Collins was identified by police as the mother of a 3-year-old girl whom she was accused of abducting from a home on Riverwood Avenue in Rocky River shortly before 2 a.m. on Monday, March 4.

An AMBER alert was issued in the case just before 5 a.m. and was canceled shortly after 6:30 a.m., when Collins and the child were found in Strongsville. According to officials, the child was safe and Collins was taken into custody.

According to the alert, Collins has a history of mental illness, and alcohol and drug abuse.

Her case has not yet been bound over to the Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court.

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The FOX 8 I-Team learned Collins was an employee of the North Olmsted City Schools.

District officials released the following statement:

“Ms. Cathleen Collins has been an employee of North Olmsted City Schools since 2015. This morning we were made aware that she was taken into police custody pending investigation related to a personal matter. Ms. Collins has been placed on paid leave while this investigation is ongoing. While this matter is not related to Ms. Collins’ role as an intervention specialist, the district will continue to work with local police to stay informed on this investigation.”

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