NEW YORK (1010 WINS/WCBS 880) – The U.S. Marshals Service found 200 missing children across the nation during a six-week operation, including endangered runaways and abducted kids.
"There are no words to describe the terror felt by missing children, their families, and their communities," said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland.
During "Operation We Will Find You 2," the USMS worked with the NYPD, Homeland Security Investigations, the Department of Children and Family Services, and other agencies to find "critically missing children" who are vulnerable to child sex trafficking, abuse, exploitation, and other crimes against children.
The operation was conducted from May 20 to June 24 across seven states: New York, Arizona, California, Florida, Michigan, North Carolina, and Oregon.
As a result, 123 children from dangerous situations were removed. An additional 77 missing children were located and found to be in safe locations, according to law enforcement or child welfare agencies, according to the DOJ.
The youngest child recovered was 5 months old.
The U.S. Marshals Service, along with federal, state, and local partner agencies, led Operation We Will Find You 2, a six-week national operation from May 20 to June 24, 2024.U.S. Marshals Service photo by Shane T. McCoy
One of the cases highlighted was that of a 16-year-old girl from New York who was a prior victim of human trafficking and was reported missing on Nov. 3, 2023. A year later, the NYPD requested the USMS help find the missing girl. Following an investigation on June 3, the USMS arrested a 27-year-old man who was the main suspect for an ongoing investigation into the missing teen. After obtaining a search warrant, the teen was found in the suspects bedroom along with evidence of sexual exploitation. The teen was placed in the care of ACS and transported to the hospital for medical treatment.
"Operation We Will Find You is a shining example of the results we can achieve when we unite in our mission to find missing children," said Michelle DeLaune, President and CEO of NCMEC. "Behind every statistic, there is a child who deserves to grow up safe from harm."
