A major child-recovery operation led by Florida authorities has resulted in 163 missing children being located and safely recovered, according to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.

Operation Statewide Shield was conducted over approximately five days and involved state, local and federal agencies working together to locate vulnerable children and connect them with support services. The children ranged in age from just 2 months to 17 years old.

WHERE WERE THE CHILDREN FOUND?

The operation involved recoveries across multiple regions, including Florida, as well as six other states, one U.S. territory and 12 countries.

Within Florida, authorities reported 46 recoveries in the Tampa Bay region, 41 in Miami, 32 in Jacksonville, 21 in Orlando, 12 in Fort Myers, eight in Pensacola and three in Tallahᴀssee.

WHAT HAPPENED TO THE CHILDREN AFTER THEY WERE FOUND?

Authorities said the recovered children were transported to designated recovery hubs, where they could receive ᴀssistance from child-welfare professionals, medical providers, social-service organizations and victim advocates.

Officials said many of the children had experienced different levels of abuse, neglect, exploitation or exposure to other criminal activity, although authorities have not publicly provided individual details for every child.

ARRESTS HAVE ALREADY BEEN MADE

The operation has also resulted in multiple arrests. Authorities announced charges involving individual cases, including offenses involving minors and interference with child custody.

Officials said additional investigations remain ongoing and that more arrests could follow. Importantly, authorities have not said that a single group of people was responsible for all 163 missing children.

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

For the children who have been recovered, the immediate focus is on safety, medical needs, emotional support and determining appropriate placement and follow-up care.

Meanwhile, investigators continue working through the individual cases behind the recoveries. Each child’s circumstances can be different, meaning the next steps may involve child-welfare agencies, families, medical professionals and law enforcement.

The recovery of 163 children marks a major development, but authorities say the investigations connected to Operation Statewide Shield are still continuing.

Source: Florida Department of Law Enforcement / Florida Attorney General’s Office.