STATEMENT ON MCKINNEY-VENTO ACT OF 1987; LACK OF REPORT TO LAW ENFORCEMENT REGARDING ALLEGATIONS OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING

PERRYSBURG, Ohio — State Representative Haraz N. Ghanbari (R-Perrysburg) released the following statement regarding developments after the arrest of 24-year-old Venezuelan national Anthony Emmanuel Labrador Sierra by Perrysburg Police.

"At no time have any of my statements regarding the arrest of Anthony Emmanuel Labrador Sierra placed blame on Perrysburg Public Schools; however, many have cited compliance with the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act of 1987. It's important to note, the act guarantees that children and youth facing homelessness can access education, including the right to enroll in school immediately — even without essential documents such as a birth certificate.

According to Perrysburg Police, on November 1, 2023, Mr. Labrador Sierra contacted Perrysburg Schools wanting to enroll as a student claiming he was currently homeless and was an immigrant from Venezuela. He also claimed he was the victim of human trafficking and wanted to enroll in Perrysburg Schools.

Also, according to Perrysburg Police, on November 6, 2023, Mr. Labrador Sierra met with the school to begin the enrollment process; however, he was told he would need to present a birth certificate to complete the enrollment process. Two months later, he presented a birth certificate from the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela with a birthdate of December 2, 2007, and on January 19, 2024, he started as a student at Perrysburg Schools.

This prompts a critical question. Given that Mr. Labrador Sierra disclosed his status as homeless, on what basis did the school district require the production of a birth certificate as a condition of enrollment, potentially in conflict with protections afforded under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act?

Lastly, in my original statement, I noted, “The Perrysburg School District should continue to cooperate fully with all relevant authorities and support the ongoing investigation in every way possible. Additionally, this requires a careful review of their internal protocols to take every necessary step to ensure our schools remain safe, secure, and worthy of the trust our families place in them.”

It has become clear that no contact was made with the Perrysburg Police prior to May 19, 2025, regarding a potential human trafficking victim attempting to enroll at the high school. A review of protocols from the school, as I suggested in my original statement, may prompt the creation of policy explicitly requiring the notification to law enforcement of any reported allegations of human trafficking. The school district currently has no such policy; however, they do have Policy 8462 – Student Abuse and Neglect, which outlines procedures for reporting suspected child abuse.

Had law enforcement been notified in November 2023 about the situation, the Perrysburg Police Division would’ve had the opportunity to initiate an investigation into the human trafficking allegation and subsequently worked with their federal law enforcement partners such as United States Customs and Border Protection. USCPB’s biometrics technology would have alerted authorities to the inconsistencies in the alleged identity of Mr. Labrador Sierra.

I remain committed to working with local, state, and federal officials to ensure accountability and implement reforms that prevent this from ever happening again."