TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV/Florida Capital Bureau) – More than 150 children who were abused, neglected, or trafficked were rescued in Florida’s largest child recovery operation ever.
Attorney General James Uthmeier announced the success of Operation Statewide Shield, at a Tuesday press conference.
During the five day operation, 163 children, ranging from 2 months to 17 years old were rescued. Rescues happened across the entire state of Florida as well as in California, Ohio, New York and as far away as Taiwan and Finland.
Uthmeier said the children are now back in safe environment.
“It won’t surprise you that many have suffered great abuses. Many have been trafficked, neglected, exploited and abused. Thanks to our partners we have them back in our custody,” he said. “We have them in a loving environment. We will give them the treatment they need to get back on a road to recovery.”
Three arrests have been made so far in the operation. Uthmeier expects more arrests to be made over the coming days.
Here are the numbers based on city:
46 recoveries by the Tampa Bay region, 41 by Miami, 32 by Jacksonville, 21 by Orlando, 12 by Fort Myers, 8 by Pensacola, and 3 by Tallahassee.
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