Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier, R, announced on Monday that 122 children were rescued as part of a multi-agency effort, which included the FBI, U.S. Marshals, state and local authorities, dubbed “Operation Home for the Holidays.” The operation also led to six felony arrests, and more are expected, according to officials.
“Thanks to one of the single largest child-rescue operations in U.S. history, 122 missing children are safe,” Uthmeier said in a statement. “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.”
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State officials now say they will begin the prosecution of “multiple felony cases,” including offenses such as “sexual battery on a child and custodial interference.”
Where were the children rescued from?
Over the span of two weeks, officials said that authorities found children throughout Central Florida, including 57 children in the Tampa Bay area, 14 in Orlando, 22 in Jacksonville and 29 in Fort Myers. The effort also involved rescues in nine other states. The children range in age from 23 months to 17 years. Investigators revealed that many of the children had experienced various forms of abuse, including neglect and exploitation.
“Many have been through the unthinkable,” Uthmeier said. “They’ve been trafficked. They’ve been exploited. They’ve been abused. They need our help now more than ever.”
“We will continue to get them help and find homes where they are loved, where they are protected, where they will be empowered to lead successful lives, and we will get them on the road to recovery,” he added.
Recovery for victims begins
Child welfare experts told Tampa’s Fox 13 that the children rescued will likely need significant professional help for them to be able to recover from the trauma they endured, but that may be a challenge in itself.
“The first thing they need is a safe space,” Stephanie Turner, who survived human trafficking and now works as a mentor for the Children’s Home Network, told Fox 13. “Some of them don’t want the help because, unfortunately, that was a life that they’re either used to or they’re so trauma-bonded with their traffickers that they are so scared of anyone else.”
Experts note that some may require therapy for substance or sexual abuse, as well as help with getting caught up in school.
How authorities located the children
Authorities said they used “real-time intelligence and field operations” to help them locate the children. They added that “victim advocates and child welfare specialists” also assisted authorities by providing resources to the rescued children. Uthmeier said that medical care and rehabilitation efforts are underway for those who were rescued.
Assistance from federal partners
The FBI and U.S. Marshals were part of the historic effort.
“We are honored to play a leading role in answering those calls,” United States Marshal for the Middle District of Florida Bill Berger said in a statement.
Officials said they exceeded the results of the successful “Operation Dragon Eye” earlier this year when 60 children were rescued.
