The countrywide drive to identify missing children suspected to be in danger has been a huge success.
Operation We Will Find You 2 saw the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) collaborate with federal, state, and local entities in seven federal judicial districts and geographical regions around the country to locate the children.
In just six weeks, the organization was able to identify dangerous runaways and those kidnapped by noncustodial individuals.
The operation, which took place nationwide from May 20 to June 24, was the second of its kind.
Michelle DeLaune, President and CEO of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, lauded the operation’s efficiency and success.
“Operation We Will Find You serves as an example of the results we can achieve when we collaborate to locate missing children.”
“We express our gratitude for the recovery of vulnerable children during this operation, and we commend the US Marshals Service and all participating agencies for their unwavering commitment to safeguarding youth and making sure these children remain unforgotten.” Every number represents a child who deserves to grow up protected from danger.
The operation successfully recovered and removed 123 youngsters from unsafe situations. Law enforcement or child welfare services have identified and confirmed the safety of an additional 77 missing children.
Of the 200 children found, 173 were runaways in danger, 25 were considered missing, one was a family abduction, and one was not.
The youngest child to recover was five months old. The bulk of the children were found in the places where they went missing; however, 14 of the 200 were discovered in separate cities.
Within seven days after the US Marshals Service became involved in the case, they found 57% of the missing children.
Attorney General Merrick B. Garland congratulated everyone involved in the operation for their dedication and efforts to reclaim the children.
He said, “The fear that missing children, their families, and communities experience is beyond words.
“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 work every day to keep children safe.”