A major child-recovery operation across Florida has ended with 163 missing children located and safely recovered, in what authorities describe as the state’s first statewide initiative of its kind and one of the largest child-recovery operations in U.S. history.

Known as Operation Statewide Shield, the five-day effort was led by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) alongside state, local and federal partners. The children ranged in age from just 2 months to 17 years old, with recoveries reported across Florida as well as six other states, one U.S. territory and 12 countries.

The largest number of recoveries came from the Tampa Bay region with 46 children, followed by Miami with 41, Jacksonville with 32, Orlando with 21, Fort Myers with 12, Pensacola with 8 and Tallahᴀssee with 3. Officials said many of the children had experienced varying levels of abuse, neglect, exploitation or exposure to other criminal activity.

But the operation did not end when the children were located. Those needing ᴀssistance were taken to designated recovery hubs, where they could receive support from child-welfare professionals, medical providers, social services and victim advocates. Authorities said the goal was not simply to locate missing children, but to connect vulnerable young people with the care and resources they needed after being recovered.

The announcement has drawn widespread attention because behind the number 163 are 163 individual stories and families who had been waiting for answers. Florida officials say the operation demonstrates what can happen when multiple agencies and community organizations work together with one goal: finding missing children and bringing them home.

Source:
Florida Department of Law Enforcement — Operation Statewide Shield
CBS 12 — 163 missing children recovered