TALLAHASSEE, FL – Federal authorities announced the successful recovery of 43 critically missing children during a two-week operation spanning 14 Florida counties, calling it the most successful missing child operation ever conducted in Northern Florida.
Operation Northern Lights deployed more than 80 personnel from 25 law enforcement agencies and resulted in nine arrests on charges including human trafficking, child endangerment, and custodial interference. The recovered children ranged in age from 18 months to 17 years old.
Among those rescued was a 1-year-old girl from Leon County who had been missing since September after her mother fled with her while in Florida Department of Children and Family Services custody. U.S. Marshals from Baton Rouge and New Orleans located the toddler in Louisiana on December 2 and returned her to DCFS care.
Other notable recoveries included a 17-year-old and 1-year-old from Okaloosa County found near Jackson, Mississippi; a 13-year-old from Suwannee County located in Jacksonville after being missing for eight months; and a 15-year-old from Okaloosa County found in Ocala with her alleged abductor.
The operation extended beyond Florida’s borders, with children recovered across Tennessee, Mississippi, and Louisiana.
“This was the most successful missing child operation ever conducted in Northern Florida,” said Acting U.S. Marshal Greg Leljedal. “Because of the tireless dedication of the U.S. Marshals and our law enforcement partners, 43 endangered children will now be home safe for the holidays.”
All recovered children received immediate medical resources, nourishment, social services support, and child advocates to help them transition to safe placements.
Since the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act of 2015 expanded their authority, U.S. Marshals have located or recovered 3,967 missing children nationwide, with a 66% success rate and 61% found within seven days.
ANY recovery of missing/exploited kids is a positive thing. Unfortunately there are still way too many still out there, thanks to decades of the issue being virtually ignored, if not aided by too many of TPBT.