Over 200 missing children have been located by the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) following a six-week operation they called “Operation We Will Find You 2.” The operations were conducted along with other federal, state, and local agencies, and in seven federal judicial districts and geographical locations in the United States of America. This was the second similar operation of this kind conducted by the U.S. Marshals. It concluded on June 24, 2024.
The U.S. Marshals spokesperson said the list of the missing children included endangered runaways and those abducted by noncustodial persons. They focused their search area on locations where children are in more serious danger and vulnerable to child sex trafficking, exploitation, abuse, and other crimes.
The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children provided the operation with technical assistance. 123 of the 200 children were found and removed from dangerous situations. 77 of the 200 were located but was in “safe locations.” One of the children was located after a family aduction and one other from a non-family abduction. The youngest child found was only 5 months old.
U.S. Marshals Service Director Ronald L. Davis said “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 the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children said “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. 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.”
The U.S. Marshals said the following locations is where they operated: 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, Ottawa, counties); Eastern District of North Carolina (New Hanover, Brunswick, Harnett, Onslow, Pitt, Wake, Johnston, Robeson, Cumberland, Sampson, Nash, and Pender counties); The Southern and Eastern districts of New York (New York City); and the District of Oregon (Multnomah, Washington, and Deschutes counties, as well as Portland and Eugene, and the Warm Springs Reservation).
The U.S. Marshals continue to assist with locating missing children every day and they plan to conduct another large operation such as this again.
