Story thread · 4 reports / 4 sources

163 missing children, including dozens in Miami, found in Operation Statewide Shield

nbcmiami.com · 14dShare

One hundred and sixty-three missing children, including dozens in the Miami area, were found in what officials called “one of the largest child-recovery operations in American history.” Operation Statewide Shield took place from Aug. 17 to 21 in efforts that “focused on identifying, locating, and recovering missing children under the age of 18,” according to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE). “The children ranged in age from 2 months to 17 years old, and many had experienced various levels of abuse, neglect, exploitation, or exposure to other criminal activity,” authorities said in a news release. The vulnerable youth that were rescued included: 46 in the Tampa Bay region 41 in Miami 32 in Jacksonville 21 in Orlando 12 in Fort Myers 8 in Pensacola 3 in the Tallahassee region The operation led to an unknown number of other children being found in six states, one U.S. territory and 12 countries, FDLE said. “Recovered children needing assistance were safely transported by l

First report: More than 160 missing children recovered in statewide operation, authorities announce — azfamily.com, 16d