SAN ANTONIO – A federal investigation resulted in multiple agencies finding 45 missing children in August, the U.S. Marshals Service said in a news release Wednesday.
From Aug. 10 to Aug. 31, deputy U.S. marshals from across Texas and Arizona, along with other local law enforcement, led investigations to locate or recover children who are considered at-risk and endangered, according to the release.
The U.S. Marshals Service defines critically missing children as those at heightened risk of violent crime, including sexual exploitation, substance abuse, exposure to crime or domestic violence.
A 15-year-old San Antonio girl, initially reported as a runaway, was recovered and identified as a victim of sex trafficking, the U.S. Marshals Service said.
People arrested in the operation are accused of being involved in human trafficking, crimes against children and related state and federal offenses, the news release said.
Francisco Hernandez, 39, was among the arrests in the operation, the U.S. Marshals Service confirmed. He was taken into custody on Aug. 27 by armed marshals outside a Mexican restaurant south of downtown.
Francisco Hernandez, 39. (Bexar County Adult Detention Center)
Hernandez had two children with him that were reported missing by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. According to the U.S. Marshals Service, Hernandez is the children’s biological father, however the custodial parents had reported the two children missing.
“(Hernandez) was arrested solely for a violation of his state parole,” a U.S. Marshals Service spokesperson said in an email to KSAT.
The San Antonio Police Department also responded to take Hernandez into custody.
SAPD additionally executed a total of nine felony warrants, 11 misdemeanor warrants and arrested seven people throughout the 21-day operation, according to the news release.
“Most importantly, this operation helped locate and recover missing and endangered children,” appointed San Antonio Police Chief Jesse Salame said. “It is a testament to the importance of collaboration in safeguarding vulnerable youth and bringing offenders to justice.”
Children recovered in the operation were provided physical and mental health services to support their well-being, the news release said.
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