163 MISSING CHILDREN FOUND — AND THE OPERATION SPANNED 12 COUNTRIES

A five-day operation has uncovered a shocking scale of missing-child cases, with children located across the U.S. and 12 different countries. Officials say some had been exposed to abuse, neglect or exploitation.

A massive law-enforcement operation in Florida has resulted in the recovery of 163 missing children, ranging in age from just 2 months to 17 years old.

Called Operation Statewide Shield, the five-day initiative was announced by Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier and described as the first statewide child-recovery operation of its kind in Florida history.

But what stunned investigators was how far the search reached.

The children were located not only throughout Florida, but also in six other U.S. states, one U.S. territory and 12 countries.

THE SEARCH REACHED AROUND THE WORLD

Authorities said children were located in countries including Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Dominica, Finland, Ghana, Guatemala, Italy and Jamaica.

Within Florida, recovery efforts included major population centers across the state.

Officials reported:

• 46 children recovered in the Tampa Bay region
• 41 in Miami
• 32 in Jacksonville
• 21 in Orlando
• 12 in Fort Myers
• 8 in Pensacola
• 3 in Tallahassee

The operation involved the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the Office of Statewide Prosecution and numerous state and local law-enforcement partners.

SOME CHILDREN WERE FOUND IN DANGEROUS CONDITIONS

Officials said the operation was not simply about locating children who had gone missing.

Many of those recovered had reportedly experienced abuse, neglect, exploitation or exposure to other criminal activity.

Once located, the children were taken to designated recovery hubs, where they could receive medical attention, psychological support, social services and assistance from victim advocates.

Florida officials said the operation relied on intelligence gathering and field operations to identify where missing children might be found.

ARRESTS HAVE ALREADY BEEN MADE

The operation also resulted in criminal investigations.

Authorities announced charges against three people in connection with offenses including child abuse and custody interference.

Officials emphasized that the investigation remains active and that additional arrests are possible.

The operation represents a significant expansion of efforts to locate vulnerable children who might otherwise remain missing for months or even years.

“THESE CHILDREN ARE NOW SAFE”

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier praised the agencies and officers involved, saying many of the children had been victimized by people who prey on vulnerable young people.

The recovery effort, officials said, was ultimately about more than finding names on missing-person databases.

It was about getting children back into a safe environment and connecting them with professionals who could help them recover.

And behind the headline number — 163 children — are 163 individual stories that investigators are now working to understand.

A five-day operation crossed state lines, international borders and countless miles.

And it ended with 163 missing children being found.

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