Operation "We Will Find You 2": U.S. Marshals Rescue 200 Critically Missing Children

In a formidable display of interagency collaboration and commitment to child protection, the United States Marshals Service, partnering with various federal, state, and local agencies, has successfully concluded a six-week operation, aptly named "Operation We Will Find You 2," resulting in the recovery of 200 critically missing children across the United States. The operation spanned from May 20 to June 24, as reported by the US Department of Justice.

The operation was wide-ranging, with recovery efforts spanning several states and judicial districts, including Portland and Eugene in Oregon, numerous counties in South Florida, New York City, and certain areas of Michigan. The children found ranged from a tender age of 5 months to teenagers. The US Department for Justice highlights that these children fell under the category of "critically missing," meaning they faced heightened dangers due to various high-risk factors, such as susceptibility to child sex trafficking, exploitation, and physical or sexual abuse, as well as urgent medical or mental health conditions.

The children, described by the Justice Department, included 173 endangered runaways, 25 who were reported missing for unspecified reasons, one child taken by a non-custodial parent, and one in a non-family abduction situation. Impressively, 57% of the rescued were located within a week of the US Marshals Service joining their search.

According to the Justice Department, 123 of the rescued children were extracted from perilous circumstances, highlighting the critical nature of the mission. Of the 200, fourteen were found in areas different from where they had originally been reported missing. The operation's success emphasizes the capability and dedication of the US Marshals Service and supporting agencies to handle some of the nation's most challenging cases involving children at risk.

Marshals Service Director Ronald L. Davis expressed the agency's fervent commitment to this cause, recognizing the recovery of missing children as one of their most fundamental responsibilities. "This is one of our top priorities as there remain thousands of children still more missing and at risk," he remarked. In reinforcing the message that every missing child is a priority and the commitment to find them never wanes, "Operation We Will Find You 2" stands as a testament to the dedicated agencies working tirelessly to ensure the safety of the nation's children.