A sweeping, five-day operation led by Florida law enforcement recovered 163 missing children, including three in Tallahassee, as authorities say more arrests and investigations could still be ahead.
The children recovered ranged in age from 2 months old to 17 years old. Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier said the state will continue to pursue those who harm children. “Florida will never be a haven for those that want to prey on our kids. If you come here and you do harm, you will pay for it,” Uthmeier said.
The effort, known as Operation Statewide Shield, brought together state, federal and local agencies. Both the Leon County Sheriff’s Office and the Tallahassee Police Department each provided a detective to assist in the operation, FOX 49 confirmed.
Leon County Undersheriff Ron Cave said the local detective worked closely with partner agencies to track down missing children. “Our detective worked side by side with the other partners that I spoke about at the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and they worked every day following up on investigative leads, trying to track down missing children,” Cave said. “In order for us to effectively do our job, we have to work with our other partners throughout the state and throughout the country. Partnership is key in law enforcement.”
Officials said the children were found under very different circumstances, including cases involving abuse, neglect, exploitation and trafficking.
Experts say recovery does not end when a child is located. Lyndi Bradley, program director of professional development at Florida State University’s College of Social Work, said the first priority is stabilizing a child’s immediate needs. “The moment a child is recovered, their priority is stabilization,” Bradley said. “So looking at we’re looking at ensuring physical safety, that urgent medical needs are met, nutritional needs are met. And also they’re being provided a quiet and predictable environment to allow their nervous system to come down and settle.”
Bradley added that trained professionals aim not to re-traumatize children, including by limiting the number of times they are asked to tell their story.
Authorities said three arrests have been made so far, and more could follow. Uthmeier said the operation has already reduced harm to children, but warned the work is continuing. “There’s fewer young teenage girls now being forced into stripping and exotic dancing, there’s fewer children being trafficked, there’s fewer foster kids that have been drugged and abused. But unfortunately, there’s more work to be done,” he said.
According to the attorney general’s office, multiple law enforcement investigations connected to the operation remain ongoing.
Officials said the recovery effort extended beyond Florida, with children located across several states and internationally. Recoveries reached countries including Canada, Mexico, Italy and Spain.