CALIFORNIA – During an intensive six-week national operation led by the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS), 200 missing children were successfully located, marking a significant success in the fight against child abduction and exploitation.
“Operation We Will Find You 2” took place from May 20 to June 24 and covered seven federal judicial districts across the United States.
The USMS, in collaboration with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), led the effort resulting in the rescue of 123 children from dangerous situations, and the locating of another 77 children who were found in safe places after being reported missing.
Out of the 200 children found, 173 were endangered runaways, 25 were considered missing, a family member abducted one, and one was a victim of a non-family abduction.
It was also noted that 14 of the rescued children were found outside the city where their disappearance was reported, and the youngest was only 5 months old.
The swift response was remarkable, with 57% of the children located within seven days of USMS intervention in disappearance cases.
U.S. Attorney General Merrick B. Garland expressed gratitude to the dedicated professionals of the U.S. Marshals Service and NCMEC, emphasizing the importance of keeping children safe at all times.
This multifaceted operation involved federal, state, and local agencies in states such as Arizona, California, Florida, Michigan, North Carolina, Oregon, and New York City.
The USMS worked closely with law enforcement to locate missing children, many of whom were in high-risk situations. These situations included child sex trafficking, child exploitation, sexual abuse, physical abuse, and medical or mental health issues.
A notable rescue occurred on June 13 when the USMS recovered a 16-year-old girl reported missing from Edwardsburg, Michigan. The investigation revealed the teenager was likely being controlled and abused by an adult who shared disturbing images on social media.
The individual was apprehended after a confrontation with marshals, ensuring the teenager’s safety.
These efforts underscore the U.S. Marshals Service’s mission to locate and rescue the nation’s most vulnerable children, a critical task given the significant number of minors still missing and at risk.
