Once Again, a Kid Is Missing — And Once Again, The Chronicle Gets the Inside Scoop First
Aug 07, 2025
By Aaron Knapp | Lorain City Politics Unplugged
A 16-year-old boy is missing. A 24-year-old man is under arrest. And the Elyria Police Department has confirmed what many of us feared — there’s more to this story than a bad night.
According to a press release (which, surprise surprise, was first handed off to The Chronicle-Telegram), Jacob Rosado, 24, is facing two criminal charges:
- Contributing to the delinquency of a minor
- Tampering with evidence
Police say Rosado spent the night drinking with the 16-year-old. That’s bad enough. But now the teen hasn’t been seen since, and Rosado is accused of trying to hide or alter evidence tied to the case.
Let that sink in: A kid is missing, and the adult he was last seen with has already been charged with obstructing the investigation.
The Chronicle Gets First Dibs — Again
If you’re wondering why the local public didn’t hear it straight from the source, you’re not alone.
This is not the first time The Chronicle-Telegram has gotten selective access to Elyria PD’s communications, leaving independent reporters and the broader public out of the loop — again. If we’re talking about public safety, justice, and transparency, then the playing field should be level. It’s not.
People have a right to know what’s happening in real time, not filtered through a favored outlet. And families have a right to justice that doesn’t move behind closed doors.
In this case they took the chronicle reporter to the scene but when others followed and protested they rescinded the offer and took everyone back to the tip. Makes this reporter question why?
What We Know — and What We Don’t
The teen is still missing, possibly last seen near the East Falls Riverwalk, behind the Elyria Police Station. Search teams are focused there, but hope is fading.
Rosado, meanwhile, is facing serious charges. The felony tampering charge alone can carry up to 5 years in prison — and it’s filed when someone is accused of intentionally interfering with an investigation.
So the question becomes: What did he do? What does he know? And why hasn’t the full story come out?
This Isn’t a “Bad Decision” — It’s a System Failure
We are talking about:
- A grown man out drinking all night with a minor
- A criminal cover-up charge
- A child who hasn’t come home
This is not “just a bad decision.” This is a failure — of boundaries, of accountability, and maybe even of justice. And if there’s a deeper reason Rosado had access to this teen in the first place, we need to start digging.
EPD has said little publicly, other than confirming charges and the ongoing search. The teen’s name Vincent Pabon has been released.
We Deserve Better
Let me say it plain:
A missing kid shouldn’t be a media exclusive.
A serious case like this shouldn’t be trickled out through one favored outlet.
And a 24-year-old with something to hide shouldn’t be the only one who knows what happened.
If you know anything about this case — or if you’re ready to speak on record or anonymously — contact me directly. I’ll keep pressing for answers, because this family deserves the truth. So does this city.
📞 EPD tip line: 440-323-3302
This is Aaron Knapp for Lorain City Politics Unplugged.
Stay loud. Stay watching. I’ll keep you updated.
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