The U.S. Marshals Service (USMS), in collaboration with federal, state, and local agencies across seven federal judicial districts and geographical locations in the United States, concluded a six-week national operation that resulted in locating 200 critically missing children. The operation, titled "Operation We Will Find You 2" (OWWFY2), ran from May 20 to June 24 and targeted areas with high concentrations of missing children.
The operation identified 123 children in dangerous situations and located an additional 77 children who were found to be safe. Among the recovered children, 173 were endangered runaways, 25 were otherwise missing, one was a family abduction, and one was a non-family abduction. The youngest child recovered was five months old. Notably, 14 of the children were found outside the city where they went missing. Furthermore, 57% of the recovered children were located within seven days of USMS involvement.
“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 to find 200 critically missing children during this six-week operation, and who work every day to keep children safe.”
“One of the most sacred missions of U.S. Marshals Service is locating and recovering our nation’s critically missing children,” said USMS Director Ronald L. Davis. “This is one of our top priorities as there remain thousands of children still missing and at risk.”
“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 President and CEO Michelle DeLaune of NCMEC. “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."
The operation took place in various locations including Arizona; California; Florida; Michigan; North Carolina; New York; Oregon; among others.
The primary goal of OWWFY2 was to foster partnerships among government entities and non-governmental organizations to form multidisciplinary teams focused on finding critically missing children while raising awareness about this issue in America.
During OWWFY2, USMS collaborated with multiple law enforcement agencies along with NCMEC, Department of Children and Family Services, among others. These efforts aimed at locating some of the most challenging recovery cases involving high-risk factors such as child sex trafficking, exploitation, abuse or medical/mental health conditions.
The Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act of 2015 enhanced USMS' authority to assist law enforcement in recovering endangered missing children irrespective of fugitive or sex offender involvement. Consequently, USMS established a Missing Child Unit tasked with overseeing operations under this enhanced mandate.
Significant recoveries included:
- A 16-year-old female from Edwardsburg, Michigan.
- A 15-year-old female victim of human trafficking from Miami-Dade.
- A sex-trafficked minor from Phoenix found in Flint.
- A one-year-old from Raleigh whose mother had previous convictions related to child cruelty.
- A sexually exploited minor from New York City.
- Several other critical recoveries spanning various states.
Further information about USMS activities can be accessed at www.usmarshals.gov.