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4 ARTICLES
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3w ago

Florida Operation Statewide Shield Locates 163 Missing Children

The state says coordinated work with federal and foreign partners enabled rapid recoveries and opened new criminal investigations.

Florida officials say a four-and-a-half-day operation recovered 163 missing children, with cases spanning the U.S. and 12 other countries. (Office of the Attorney General)
Florida officials say a four-and-a-half-day operation recovered 163 missing children, with cases spanning the U.S. and 12 other countries. (WPEC)
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Florida officials say a four-and-a-half-day operation recovered 163 missing children, with cases spanning the U.S. and 12 other countries. (WPEC)

Overview

  • Officials announced Tuesday that a five‑day mid‑August effort led by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement recovered 163 missing children aged 2 months to 17.
  • Recoveries spanned Florida regions and extended to other U.S. states, Puerto Rico and at least a dozen foreign countries, reflecting broad international and interjurisdictional cooperation.
  • Three men have been publicly arrested so far on charges tied to recoveries and authorities said multiple follow‑on investigations are open with more arrests expected.
  • Recovered children were taken to regional recovery hubs for medical care, behavioral health services, child‑welfare support and victim advocacy while cases were entered in the state clearinghouse.
  • Officials said the operation used tactics modeled on U.S. Marshals initiatives, involved state, local, federal and nonprofit partners, and signals a push toward aggressive prosecutions and continued search efforts.