In a significant breakthrough against child trafficking, a large-scale rescue mission in Florida has successfully located over a hundred missing children, ensuring their return home just in time for the holiday season.
This monumental effort, dubbed "Operation Home for the Holidays," was spearheaded by a multi-agency task force and was announced during a press conference on Monday by Florida State Attorney General James Uthmeier.
According to RedState, the operation, which spanned two weeks, resulted in the recovery of more than 120 children, ranging from 23 months to 17 years old. The operation also led to six felony arrests, marking a significant victory in the fight against child exploitation. Attorney General Uthmeier, alongside U.S. Marshal Berger, declared this initiative the largest child rescue mission in history.
Uthmeier issued a stern warning to those who prey on children, stating, "If you want to prey upon them, if you want to groom them, if you want to abuse them, everybody up here is coming for you with everything we've got. We're gonna lock you up for as long as possible. Child predators stay out of Florida."
The operation's success underscores the dedication and effectiveness of Florida's law enforcement agencies. Uthmeier expressed his gratitude, saying, "This Operation highlights the strength and diligence of Florida's Law Enforcement. I am deeply grateful for everyone that made Operation Home for the Holidays a massive success. Many of these kids have been victimized in unspeakable ways. We will prosecute their abusers to the fullest extent of the law."
The breakdown of the rescued children is as follows: 57 were found in the Tampa Bay region, 14 in Orlando, 22 in Jacksonville, and 29 in Fort Myers. The FBI Jacksonville played a crucial role in the operation, as detailed in their press release. "BREAKING: FBI Jacksonville, along with federal, state, and local law enforcement and community partners, assisted in the safe location and recoveries of 22 children as part Operation Home for the Holidays.
The Operation led by the U.S. Marshals Service was announced this morning, and FBI Jacksonville was proud to partner with them, the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office (@JSOPIO), and several other federal, state, and local partners in this effort."
The operation is a testament to the power of collaboration among federal, state, and local agencies, all united by a shared commitment to safeguarding children. The FBI emphasized that protecting children is central to their mission, and this operation exemplifies the positive outcomes achievable through such partnerships.
President Donald Trump's administration has been actively addressing the issue of missing children, a crisis exacerbated by the previous administration's open border policies. The success of this operation highlights the importance of strong border security and law enforcement in protecting the nation's most vulnerable citizens.
The individuals involved in this mission are rightly hailed as heroes, having played a crucial role in reuniting these children with their families and ensuring their safety.
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