A major statewide effort in Florida has resulted in 163 missing children being located and safely recovered, marking one of the largest child-recovery operations in the state’s history.

OPERATION STATEWIDE SHIELD

The five-day operation, known as Operation Statewide Shield, was carried out from August 17 through August 21 by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and numerous state, local and federal partners.

The children ranged in age from just 2 months to 17 years old.

Authorities reported recoveries across several major regions, including:

• 46 children in the Tampa Bay area
• 41 in Miami
• 32 in Jacksonville
• 21 in Orlando
• 12 in Fort Myers
• 8 in Pensacola
• 3 in the Tallahᴀssee area

Investigators also located children connected to cases spanning six other states, Puerto Rico and 12 countries.

EACH CASE WAS DIFFERENT

Officials emphasized that the 163 children were not all connected to one organization or one single situation.

The cases involved a range of circumstances, including custody disputes, runaway children, abuse, neglect and allegations of exploitation or trafficking.

After being located, children who needed ᴀssistance were taken to designated recovery hubs, where they could receive support from child-welfare professionals, medical providers, victim advocates and other services.

A WARNING ABOUT VIRAL VIDEOS

The real operation has also become the subject of misleading social-media posts.

Fact-checkers found that some videos being presented as footage from the Florida operation were actually taken from older, unrelated incidents in other states and from unrelated cases.

That means the headline about 163 children being recovered is genuine, but viewers should not automatically ᴀssume that every dramatic image or video attached to the story shows what happened during Operation Statewide Shield.

THE WORK DOESN’T END WITH RECOVERY

Finding a missing child is only the beginning.

Authorities said recovered children were connected with services intended to address their immediate needs and provide continuing support.

The operation involved agencies working across multiple jurisdictions, demonstrating how missing-child investigations can extend far beyond state borders.

For 163 families and children, however, the most important part of the story is simple:

They were found. They were brought to safety. And they now have an opportunity to receive the support they need. 💙🙏

The investigations surrounding individual cases will continue, and authorities said additional arrests or legal action may follow as evidence is reviewed.

Source: Florida Department of Law Enforcement — Operation Statewide Shield | NBC 6 Miami | WUSF | Lead Stories.