TAMPA, Fla. (CBS12) — Attorney General James Uthmeier announced one of the largest rescue initiatives in history called Operation “Home for the Holidays,” which located or safely recovered 122 missing children throughout Florida.
“Thanks to one of the largest child-rescue operations in U.S. history, 122 missing children are safe,” Attorney General Uthmeier stated.
It was announced in a news conference on Monday that over a two-week period, a multi-disciplinary task force proactively identified and located vulnerable youth across Central Florida, recovering 57 children in Tampa Bay, 14 in Orlando, 22 in Jacksonville, and 29 in Fort Myers.
According to authorities, the ages of the children ranged from just 23 months to 17 years, many of whom had suffered various forms of abuse, neglect, exploitation, or exposure to criminal activity.
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Officials said in a news conference on Monday morning that this operation is notable for being one of the largest child-recovery efforts in American history, surpassing the earlier Operation “Dragon Eye” conducted this year.
The operation spanned multiple locations, including Tampa Bay, Orlando, Jacksonville, and Fort Myers, and extended its reach into nine other states, per Uthmeier.
As a result of the operation, officials said that six felony arrests have been made, with the possibility of additional charges as investigations proceed.
Uthmeier praised the efforts of Florida’s law enforcement officials and emphasized the severity of the cases, vowing to hold accountable those who victimized the children.
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