TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV/Gray News) — Officials in Florida said they found and rescued 43 missing children during a recent recovery mission.
The 12-day mission, labeled Operation Northern Lights, was led by the U.S. Marshals Service and other agencies.
Officials said all the children were considered critically missing, a classification used to describe children who may be at risk of violent crime, substance abuse, sexual exploitation, crime exposure or domestic violence.
EN ESPAÑOL | Operación de 12 días termina con el hallazgo y rescate de 43 niños desaparecidos
Some of the children were believed to have been taken across multiple counties and even state lines before being found.
Sgt. Rachel Buell with the Leon County Sheriff’s Office said the agencies began by compiling a list of those who were critically missing and then splitting the cases up by jurisdiction.
Officers went door-to-door, scoured social media and made phone calls, among other efforts, to narrow down where the children could be.
Buell said when a child goes missing, there is an 80% chance the child will be a victim of human trafficking, so in these cases time is crucial.
“You would think that finding kids probably wouldn’t be that hard, they’re kids. But in all reality, they’re harder to find sometimes than the adults,” Buell said. “Finding them before they find themselves in situations that they can’t get themselves out of is important to us.”
Nine people were arrested for their involvement in these cases, and future charges are expected, ranging from human trafficking to child endangerment and custodial interference.
Officials said they plan to continue recovery missions like this to help bring more children back home with their families.
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