163 missing children, including victims of abuse and exploitation, have been found in the United States.
In the United States, 163 missing children, including victims of abuse and exploitation, have been found.
In the US state of Florida, law enforcement agencies successfully completed a five-day operation called Statewide Shield, during which 163 missing children, ranging in age from two months to 17 years, were found. A significant number of these children had been abused, neglected, exploited, or linked to other criminal activity.
The operation, which ran from August 17 to 21, was Florida's first statewide initiative to find missing children. Authorities described it as one of the largest such operations in US history. In addition to Florida, the search resulted in the recovery of children in six other states, one US territory, and 12 foreign countries.
The largest number of children—46—were found in the Tampa Bay area. Another 41 children were found in Miami, 32 in Jacksonville, 21 in Orlando, 12 in Fort Myers, eight in Pensacola, and three in the Tallahassee area.
After their discovery, the children were transported to specialized centers where they received medical care, social support, and assistance from child protection and victim services specialists. Authorities emphasized that the identified cases were not linked to a single criminal group: they included cases of abuse and neglect, custody disputes, runaways, and suspected human trafficking.
As a result of the operation, at least three felony criminal cases were filed. Charges include sexual assault of a minor, battery, and interference with child custody. Investigations are ongoing, and authorities are not ruling out additional arrests.
The operation was led by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement in collaboration with other state, local, and federal agencies.
Earlier, 12 minors left without parental care were returned from Russia to Uzbekistan. The children were released to close relatives, and Inson Social Services Centers will continue to work on their rehabilitation and provide them with the necessary support.