According to federal, state, and local officials, 60 children between the ages of 9 and 17 have been found, making it the greatest recovery in US Marshal Service history.
State, local, and federal law enforcement authorities joined Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier at a news conference in Tampa on Monday morning to discuss the outcomes of the two-week operation.
Over 100 people and 20 agencies participated in Operation Dragon Eye, which recovered 60 missing children who were in grave danger.
This is the main focus. According to Uthmeier, this is the reason we work.
The eight individuals detained are charged with a number of offenses, including drug possession, drug trafficking, human trafficking, and endangering children, according to Uthmeier’s office.
According to Uthmeier, “at least today we’ve rescued them and we can now work towards recovery.” Many of these children have experienced terrible, tragic circumstances.
The largest operation in the history of the United States Marshal Service, if not the entire country, was described by Bill Berger, the U.S. Marshal for the Central District of Florida.
According to Berger, the bonds range from $250 million to no bond. Berger remarked, “I’ve never heard of that before.”
Pasco, Pinellas, and Hillsborough counties all reported the youngsters missing.
The attorney general was urged to keep pursuing missing children cases by Callahan Walsh, co-host of America’s Most Wanted on Fox and director of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
This is not just a figure. According to Walsh, it is a potent example of what can be achieved via cooperation, communication, and data sharing and symbolizes the removal of dozens of lives from danger.
More than half of the 60 children saved had prior interactions with the juvenile justice system, according to Katherine Gomez, head of human trafficking intervention at the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice.
Every child this procedure saves is a chance. According to Gomez, it’s an opportunity, a point of contact, and a link between the young person and the greater community. Additionally, that young individual may opt to make significant life choices today. Even while it might not be that day, today is at least that day of healing.
Several of the youngsters who were rescued were pregnant, according to Natasha Nascimento, founder of Redefining Refuge, a nonprofit organization that assists young people who have been the victims of commercial sexual exploitation.
According to Nascimento, this Marshal effort directed by the United States not only saved children but also saved generations.
Florida’s Jay Waagmeester The Phoenix
