Gerrard Kaonga
The national operation intent on finding missing children believed to be in danger has proved to be very successful.
The appropriately named, Operation We Will Find You 2, saw the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS), along with federal, state, and local agencies in seven federal judicial districts and geographical locations across the US team up to find the children.
In just six weeks, the group was able to find endangered runaways and those abducted by noncustodial persons.
The operation was underway between May 20 to June 24 and was the second nationwide operation of its kind.
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President and CEO Michelle DeLaune of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children praised the operation for its quick work and success.
“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.
“We are grateful that vulnerable children have been recovered as part of this operation, and we commend the U.S. Marshals Service and all the agencies involved for their commitment to protect youth and ensure these children are not forgotten. Behind every statistic, there is a child who deserves to grow up safe from harm.”
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The operation resulted in the recovery and removal of 123 children from dangerous situations. An additional 77 missing children were located and found to be in safe locations, according to law enforcement or child welfare agencies.
Of the 200 children found, 173 were endangered runaways, 25 were considered otherwise missing, one was a family abduction, and one was a non-family abduction.
The youngest child recovered was only five-months-old. The majority of the children were found in the cities that they had gone missing in, however, 14 of the 200 were found in different cities.
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Of the missing children that were found, 57 percent were recovered within seven days of the U.S. Marshals Service getting involved with the case.
Attorney General Merrick B. Garland praised those involved in the operation for their dedication and work in recovering the children.
He said: “There are no words to describe the terror felt by missing children, their families, and their communities.
“I am grateful to the dedicated professionals of the U.S. Marshals Service and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children who worked to find 200 critically missing children during this six-week operation, and who work every day to keep children safe.”