NORTH FLORIDA — A U.S. Marshals Service-led operation conducted earlier this month resulted in the recovery or safe location of 43 critically missing children from 14 counties across North Florida, according to the U.S. Marshals Service.
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Local law enforcement agencies from Okaloosa, Walton, and Santa Rosa counties played active roles in the operation, working alongside federal partners to help locate missing children and investigate related criminal activity. Participating agencies included the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office, Walton County Sheriff’s Office, and Santa Rosa Sheriff’s Office, according to the U.S. Marshals Service
The two-week initiative, known as Operation Northern Lights, brought together a large, multidisciplinary task force of federal, state, and local agencies, along with social services, medical providers, and non-governmental organizations. The operation focused on locating children considered at elevated risk of harm due to factors such as violence, sexual exploitation, substance abuse, or domestic instability.
The U.S. Marshals Service said more than 80 personnel from 25 agencies took part in the operation, marking the first time an initiative of this scale has been conducted in Northern Florida. The effort had three primary goals: recovering critically missing children, ensuring they received appropriate services and placement, and deterring criminal activity connected to the exploitation of missing youth.
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Operation Northern Lights resulted in nine arrests and included recoveries that may lead to additional charges related to human trafficking, child endangerment, and custodial interference. Some children reported missing from North Florida were located in other states, including Tennessee, Mississippi, and Louisiana.
“This was the most successful missing child operation ever conducted in Northern Florida,” said Greg Leljedal, Acting U.S. Marshal for the Northern District of Florida.
“Because of the tireless dedication of the U.S. Marshals and our law enforcement partners, 43 endangered children will now be home safe for the holidays.”
Mr Leljedal said the recovered children ranged in age from 1½ to 17 years old and emphasized that the operation focused not only on recovery but also on providing immediate physical and psychological care to support long-term healing.
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Homeland Security Investigations Assistant Special Agent in Charge Nicholas G. Ingegno also credited the coordinated effort among agencies for the results achieved.
“The recovery of over forty missing children reflects the unwavering commitment and teamwork from law enforcement,” Mr Ingegno said.
“Every child deserves to be safe, and we will continue to use every resource at our disposal to bring missing children home and support their families.”
Leon County Sheriff Walt McNeil said his agency’s Human Exploitation and Trafficking Unit played a key role in the operation.
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“No child will be left behind,” Sheriff McNeil said. “Our unit moved quickly, deliberately, and with purpose.”
Recovered children received medical care, food, social services, and child-advocacy resources as part of the operation. Child welfare and social service partners involved said they were proud of the results achieved through the coordinated response.
The operation was conducted under authority expanded by the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act of 2015, which allows the U.S. Marshals Service to assist other law enforcement agencies in recovering missing or endangered children, regardless of whether a fugitive or sex offender is involved.
According to the U.S. Marshals Service, since receiving that authority in 2015, the agency has located or recovered more than 3,967 missing children nationwide and successfully resolved 66 percent of cases. Of those recoveries, 61 percent occurred within seven days.
USMS law enforcement partners played essential roles in the success of Operation Northern Lights, and include the following agencies: Homeland Security Investigations, Leon County Sheriff’s Office, Tallahassee Police Department, Florida Attorney General’s Office, Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Florida Highway Patrol, Florida Department of Children and Families, Florida Department of Juvenile Justice, Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, Pensacola Police Department, Santa Rosa Sherriff’s Office, Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office, Crestview Police Department, Walton County Sheriff’s Office, Bay County Sheriff’s Office, Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, Wakulla County Sheriff’s Office, Madison County Sheriff’s Office, Taylor County Sheriff’s Office, Suwannee County Sheriff’s Office, Alachua County Sheriff’s Office, Marion County Sheriff’s Office, the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, Called2Rescue, and Shadows of strength.
