The latest initiative by the country's marshals, the "Operation We Will Find You 2" have successfully located and rescued 200 missing or endangered children.
Since the launch of the latest mission to safely return home missing children, the U.S. Marshals have located these children in a span of six weeks. This latest mission focused on the nation's metropolitan areas with a high number of reported missing children cases, such as Arizona, Florida, Miami, and Phoenix.
Mission We Will Locate You 2: A Collective Initiative
The U.S. Marshals Service, in collaboration with the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC), carried out a targeted mission to find and save missing children nationwide.
The Director of the U.S. Marshals Service, Ronald Davis, stressed the importance of this mission, highlighting that every missing child, no matter the situation, is vulnerable to trafficking, harm, or exploitation.
Davis stated that whenever a child is missing, whether it be because of a family abduction, runaway situation, or unexplained disappearance, they are in danger and immediate rescue and legal action is necessary.
With NCMEC's technical support, the operation successfully recovered 123 children from dangerous situations and located 77 more in safe conditions.
Davis stated that children are the most valuable asset and it is important to provide a safe and secure environment for them to grow and foster.
Focused Rescue Efforts in Key Areas
This operation marks the seventh of its kind and has yielded an increase in child recoveries compared to previous years.
In 2024 alone, the U.S. Marshals have located 546 children, exceeding last year's figures but falling short of the nearly 950 recoveries achieved in 2021. Phoenix emerged as a particularly critical area, with the highest number of rescues during this operation.
Phoenix, Glendale, Goodyear, and Tucson in Arizona were highlighted as significant areas, as stated by Van Bayless from the U.S. Marshals Service District of Arizona.
Bayles also stated that a 16-year-old girl from Phoenix was trafficked through Los Angeles and Miami before being found in Michigan.
This and other cases continue to be investigated. Out of the 49 instances in Arizona, it is suspected that eight children have been subjected to trafficking.
The importance of working together among different law enforcement agencies in fighting child endangerment is highlighted by the successful operation.
Broad Impact Across the Nation
Operation We Will Find You 2 extended across multiple states, including California, Florida, Michigan, North Carolina, New York, and Oregon.
Out of the 200 children found, 173 were labeled as at-risk runaways, 25 as missing for other reasons, and two as kidnapped-one by a relative and one by a stranger.
Only five months old was the youngest child saved, and 14 children were discovered beyond the city limits from where they were initially declared missing.
Michelle DeLaune, who serves as the president of NCMEC, showed immense appreciation for the U.S. Marshals Service's efforts. DeLaune expressed gratitude for the undying commitment and effort put forth in finding and rescuing the missing children.
The unwavering dedication of the U.S. Marshals Service to safeguard at-risk children still offers families across the country hope and relief.
Director Davis reiterated the agency's commitment to guaranteeing every child the opportunity to mature in a secure and supportive setting, highlighting the continued necessity for watchfulness and collaborative initiatives in combating child endangerment.
Related Article : Social Security Cost-of-Living Adjustment 2025 Predictions: COLA Rise to 36% for Seniors, Retirees Amid Inflation
