In a significant breakthrough, federal authorities revealed on Thursday the successful rescue of 43 children during a concentrated 12-day effort in Florida.

The U.S. Marshals Service, in collaboration with personnel from 25 different agencies, carried out this operation named Operation Northern Lights from December 1 to December 12. The initiative was dedicated to locating critically missing children and ensuring their swift protection from potential exploitation, as reported by WPEC.

While the primary focus was on Florida, children were also found in Louisiana and Mississippi. Among the rescued were a 1-year-old in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and a 13-year-old who had been missing for eight months.

The operation led to nine arrests, primarily related to interference with custody.

Attorney General James Uthmeier emphasized, “We will pursue the harshest penalties against those who endanger these children,” as noted by WFLA.

Operation Northern Lights was executed under the framework of the Victims of Trafficking Act of 2015, with additional criminal charges still pending.