In a recent nationwide operation named “We Will Find You,” the United States Marshals Service (USMS), in collaboration with state and local agencies, successfully located and rescued 225 missing children over a span of 10 weeks. This operation, aimed at addressing the critical issue of missing children across the nation, underscored the commitment of the USMS to protect the most vulnerable members of society.
According to a press release from the USMS, a significant number of the rescued children were either runaways or victims of noncustodial abductions. The operation yielded remarkable results, with officials recovering 169 children and safely locating 56 others. The data released further revealed that 86% of the children were endangered runaways, 9% were victims of family abductions, and 5% were otherwise considered missing.
The heart-wrenching reality of the situation is exemplified by the fact that the youngest child recovered was only six months old. The operation transcended state boundaries, as 42 children were found outside the cities in which they initially went missing, including ten children located in Mexico.
California, specifically Los Angeles County, San Bernardino County, and Riverside County areas, accounted for thirteen of the missing children who were located during this operation, highlighting the importance of targeted efforts to address local challenges. Additionally, the US Marshals successfully apprehended a notorious “Top 15 Most Wanted” couple who had fled to Mexico from Washington state with their five children, all of whom were rescued and brought out of hiding.
“Operation We Will Find You” marked a significant milestone in nationwide missing child operations, focusing on geographical areas with high concentrations of critically missing children. The USMS, recognizing the challenging nature of these recovery cases, highlighted the prevalence of high-risk factors such as child sex trafficking, exploitation, physical and sexual abuse, as well as medical and mental health conditions among the rescued children.
Furthermore, this operation led to the identification of 28 cases that required additional investigation by law enforcement. These cases spanned crimes related to drugs, weapons, sex trafficking, and sex offender violations, and allegations of trafficking were reported in over 40 of the cases.
Michelle DeLaune, President & CEO of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, commended the USMS for its commitment to child protection, stating that “Operation We Will Find You” serves as a remarkable example of their dedication.
The USMS encouraged anyone with information about missing or endangered children to contact their local police department or the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at 1-800-The-Lost.
The successful outcome of this nationwide operation serves as a testament to the tireless efforts of law enforcement agencies and their unwavering commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of our nation’s children. Through collaborative endeavors like “We Will Find You,” we can continue to make significant strides in protecting our most vulnerable population from exploitation, abuse, and other grave dangers they face.
