U.S. Marshals Locate 200 Missing Children, Several In Florida

U.S. Marshals in South Florida during Operation "We Will Find You 2”. Credit: U.S. Marshals

MIAMI, Florida- The U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) has successfully located 200 critically missing children across the nation, including several in Florida, during a six-week operation known as “Operation We Will Find You 2” (OWWFY2). This operation, conducted from May 20 to June 24, involved coordination with federal, state, and local agencies in high-risk areas.

In Florida, the operation targeted regions with high clusters of missing children, including Broward, St. Lucie, Martin, Palm Beach, and Miami-Dade counties. This focused effort led to the recovery of several children in dangerous situations, with significant cases highlighting the threats of child sex trafficking, abuse, and exploitation.

One notable recovery involved a 15-year-old girl reported missing on May 13. She was found in an apartment complex in Miami-Dade after an extensive search revealed she had become a victim of human trafficking. USMS personnel, in collaboration with Miami Police Department detectives, located and rescued her on June 7. She was debriefed by Florida State Attorney’s Office Human Trafficking personnel and returned to the Florida Department of Child and Family Services' custody.

Operation We Will Find You 2, with technical support from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), identified and rescued 123 children from dangerous situations. Additionally, 77 children were found to be in safe locations. Among the 200 recovered, 173 were endangered runaways, and 25 were considered otherwise missing.

“There are no words to describe the terror felt by missing children, their families, and their communities,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. 

“I am grateful to the dedicated professionals of the U.S. Marshals Service and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children who worked tirelessly during this operation to find 200 critically missing children and who continue to protect them every day.”

The youngest child found was five months old, and 14 children were located outside the city where they were reported missing. Remarkably, 57 percent of the missing children were recovered within seven days of the USMS beginning their assistance.

“This is one of our top priorities as there remain thousands of children still missing and at risk,” said U.S. Marshals Service Director Ronald L. Davis.