Multi-Agency Operation Recovers 200 Critically Missing Children

The United States Marshals Service led a six-week nationwide operation that resulted in 200 critically missing children being found – the youngest being a 5-month-old, according to the US Department of Justice.

The children included endangered runaways and those abducted by parents who didn’t have custody, a news release from the Justice Department said. They were rescued from May 20 to June 24 during a nationwide effort called Operation We Will Find You 2. A critically missing child is one who is at an increased risk of danger if they are not found as soon as possible.

Federal, state and local agencies in seven federal judicial districts and locations across the United States along with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children participated in recovering the children, 123 of whom were rescued “from dangerous situations,” CNN reports.

The coast-to-coast operation took place in locations including Portland and Eugene, Oregon; several counties in South Florida; New York City; and parts of Michigan.

“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,” according to the release.