A sweeping operation by the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office’s Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force, with assistance from multiple other law enforcement agencies led to the rescue of dozens of missing children between the ages of 14 and 17 in Southern California and neighboring states, officials announced.
The sheriff’s office said that in Riverside County alone, some 5,000 – 6,000 children runaway or go missing each year, with the vast majority of them returning home not long after leaving.
During Operation Safe Return, investigators identified 50 children who had been missing from one to 24 months and conducted extensive investigations into the whereabouts of each child.
“When determining a child’s possible location, a multi-disciplinary team consisting of law enforcement and social services responded to the area for his/her recovery, which included locations in Riverside County, San Bernardino County, Orange County and Los Angeles County,” officials said in a news release.
Dozens of missing children, some of whom have been trafficked and abused, were rescued amid Riverside County Sheriff’s Operation Safe Return, which ran from March 2 to 6, 2026. (RCSO)
Officials said several of the 37 children rescued were in Northern California, Nevada and Arizona.
“Unfortunately, some of these children were identified as victims of various crimes, ranging from child sex trafficking to sexual assault,” the release stated. “The operation resulted in seven arrests, including one federal arrest for child sex trafficking being conducted by Homeland Security Investigations.”
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Each of the children received victim advocacy services, medical support where needed and follow-up resources before they were reunited with a legal guardian.
While the operation ran from March 2 to 6, a total of 13 cases remain open, with officials saying that the identities of those arrested would remain confidential amid the ongoing investigations.
“Through the coordinated efforts of the Riverside County Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force, the United States Marshals Service, and numerous allied agencies, dozens of children were safely recovered and connected with critical support services,” the release stated. “RCAHT remains committed to aggressively pursuing those who exploit children while working with our partners to ensure victims receive the care and protection they deserve.”
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