The United States Marshals Service (USMS), along with federal, state, and local agencies in seven states and counties across the United States, led a six-week nationwide operation that resulted in the recovery of 200 children who had been reported missing, including endangered runaways and a few children who had been abducted.
In a statement, USMS reported on the joint effort they called “Operation We Will Find You 2” to help missing children return home. It took place from May 20 to June 24 and focused on cities where there were more reports of missing children.
“Children who go missing may be in grave danger and vulnerable to child sex trafficking, abuse, exploitation and other crimes against children,” they said.
123 children were in dangerous situations
They also said that thanks to this operation and the technical assistance of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, the operation resulted in the recovery of 123 children from dangerous situations.
In addition, 77 other missing children were located and found in safe locations, according to law enforcement or child welfare agencies.
The youngest child recovered is 5 months old. Fourteen of the children were found outside the town where they disappeared. Additionally, 57% were recovered within seven days of the USMS assisting with the case.
“They worked to keep the children safe”
“There are no words to describe the terror felt by missing children, their families and their communities,” Attorney General Merrick B. Garland said in the statement.
“I am grateful to the dedicated professionals at the U.S. Marshals Service and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children who worked to find 200 critically missing children during this six-week operation, and who work every day to keep children safe,” she added.
- “Operation We Will Find You 2” was carried out in the following states:
- Arizona (Phoenix, Glendale, Goodyear, Tucson, South Tucson, and Pima counties)
- Eastern California (San Joaquin, Stockton, and Sacramento counties)
- South Florida (Broward, St. Lucie, Martin, Palm Beach and Miami-Dade counties)
- Western Michigan (Kent, Lake, Ingham and Ottawa counties)
- Eastern North Carolina (New Hanover, Brunswick, Harnett, Onslow, Pitt, Wake, Johnston, Robeson, Cumberland, Sampson, Nash, and Pender counties)
- South and East New York (New York City)
- Oregon (Multnomah, Washington, and Deschutes counties, as well as Portland and Eugene, and the Warm Springs Reservation).
“The operation is a shining example of the results we can achieve when we come together in our mission to find missing children,” said Michelle DeLaune, NCMEC President and CEO.
“We are grateful that vulnerable children were recovered as part of this operation, and we commend the U.S. Marshals Service and all agencies involved for their commitment to protecting young people and ensuring that these children are not forgotten,” he said.
“Some cases were difficult”
They specified that some of the cases of these missing children were considered difficult due to high-risk factors such as: victimization of child sex trafficking, child exploitation, sexual abuse, physical abuse, and medical or mental health conditions.
“One of the most sacred missions of the U.S. Marshals Service is locating and recovering our nation’s critically missing children,” said U.S. Marshals Service Director Ronald L. Davis.
“This is one of our top priorities, as there are still thousands of children missing and at risk,” the statement added.
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