The U.S. Marshals Service (USMS), in collaboration with federal, state, and local agencies across seven federal judicial districts and various geographical locations in the United States, spearheaded a six-week national operation that successfully located 200 critically missing children. This operation, known as Operation We Will Find You 2 (OWWFY2), took place from May 20 to June 24 and targeted areas with high concentrations of missing children. These children, often endangered runaways or those abducted by noncustodial persons, are at significant risk of falling victim to child sex trafficking, abuse, exploitation, and other crimes.
With the technical support of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), OWWFY2 managed to recover and remove 123 children from perilous situations. An additional 77 missing children were found in safe locations, as confirmed by law enforcement or child welfare agencies. Among the 200 children located, 173 were endangered runaways, 25 were otherwise missing, one was a family abduction, and one was a non-family abduction. The youngest child recovered was just five months old. Fourteen of the children were found outside the city where they initially went missing. Notably, 57% of the missing children were recovered within seven days of the USMS’s involvement in the case.
Attorney General Merrick B. Garland expressed his gratitude, stating, “There are no words to describe the terror felt by missing children, their families, and their communities. 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 who work every day to keep children safe.”
USMS Director Ronald L. Davis emphasized the importance of this mission, saying, “One of the most sacred missions of U.S. Marshals Service is locating and recovering our nation’s critically missing children. This is one of our top priorities as there remain thousands of children still missing and at risk.”
Michelle DeLaune, President and CEO of NCMEC, highlighted the collaborative effort, stating, “Operation We Will Find You is a shining example of the results we can achieve when we unite in our mission to find missing children. We are grateful that vulnerable children have been recovered as part of this operation, and we commend the U.S. Marshals Service and all the agencies involved for their commitment to protect youth and ensure these children are not forgotten. Behind every statistic, there is a child who deserves to grow up safe from harm.”
The operation was conducted in various locations, including the District of Arizona (Phoenix, Glendale, Goodyear, Tucson, South Tucson, and Pima counties); Eastern District of California (San Joaquin County, Stockton, and Sacramento County); Southern District of Florida (Broward, St. Lucie, Martin, Palm Beach, and Miami-Dade counties); Western District of Michigan (Kent, Lake, Ingham, and Ottawa counties); Eastern District of North Carolina (New Hanover, Brunswick, Harnett, Onslow, Pitt, Wake, Johnston, Robeson, Cumberland, Sampson, Nash, and Pender counties); Southern and Eastern Districts of New York (New York City); and District of Oregon (Multnomah, Washington, and Deschutes counties, as well as Portland and Eugene, and the Warm Springs Reservation).
The primary goal of OWWFY2 was to foster partnerships among government and non-government agencies to create a multi-disciplinary team focused on pooling resources to find critically missing children. The operation also aimed to raise awareness about the epidemic of missing children in America. During the operation, the USMS collaborated with federal, state, and local law enforcement partners, NCMEC, the Department of Children and Family Services, and other agencies to safely locate missing children at risk of endangerment. These cases were among the most challenging recovery efforts, often involving high-risk factors such as child sex trafficking, exploitation, sexual abuse, physical abuse, and medical or mental health conditions. Additionally, other missing children were located at the request of law enforcement to ensure their safety and confirm their whereabouts.
The Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act of 2015 enhanced the USMS’s authority to assist law enforcement in recovering endangered missing children, regardless of whether a fugitive or sex offender was involved. To manage this enhanced authority, the USMS established a Missing Child Unit. Members of the USMS Sex Offender Investigations Branch, Behavioral Analysis Unit, and Missing Child Unit began training personnel in the participating locations months before the operation to ensure proper case selection, vetting, and pre-operational requirements were met.
Significant recoveries during the operation included:
In the Western District of Michigan, a 16-year-old female was reported missing from her home in Edwardsburg, Michigan. She was found with a 30-year-old adult male in Indiana, who was controlling and abusing her. The USMS located the child safely and arrested the adult male.
In the Southern District of Florida, a 15-year-old female, a victim of human trafficking, was found in an apartment complex in Miami-Dade after an extensive search. She was returned to the Florida Department of Child and Family Services.
In the District of Arizona, a 16-year-old female with a history of being sex trafficked was found in Flint, Michigan, after being reported missing from her group home in Phoenix. She was taken into custody on an outstanding arrest warrant for a probation violation.
In the New York/New Jersey Regional Task Force, a 16-year-old female, a prior victim of human trafficking, was found in New York City. She was being sexually exploited by a 27-year-old male, who was arrested.
In the Eastern District of North Carolina, a 1-year-old was safely recovered in Raleigh after her mother, previously convicted for the death of another child, failed to surrender her to the Department of Social Services.
In the Eastern District of California, a 17-year-old female was found in a known prostitution and trafficking motel in Oakland, California. She was staying with her older sister, who was recently arrested for human trafficking.
In the District of Oregon, a 12-year-old female, a victim of sexual abuse, was safely recovered and placed in a state-run shelter after being kicked out of a foster home.
The success of Operation We Will Find You 2 underscores the importance of collaboration and dedication in the mission to locate and recover missing children. The USMS and its partners remain committed to protecting vulnerable youth and ensuring that no child is forgotten.
Source: U.S. Marshals Service, National Center for Missing and Exploited Children
