The United States Marshals Service (USMS) recently teamed up with various federal, state, and local agencies to execute what it described as the most successful operation in its history for recovering missing children.
Named Operation Dragon Eye, this two-week effort was focused on finding and safely recovering the most critically missing children within Hillsborough, Pinellas, and Pasco Counties, according to the USMS.
Sixty critically missing children were recovered or safely located as part of the operation, authorities said.
“A unique aspect of this operation was that the critically missing children, aged 9 to 17, were not only found but also received debriefing and physical as well as psychological care. Additionally, the operation included follow-up assistance with the aim of preventing these children from returning to the streets and facing further victimization,” noted William Berger, the United States Marshal for the Middle District of Florida.
According to USMS, “critically missing” children are those who are at risk of crimes of violence or those with other elevated risk factors like substance abuse, sexual exploitation, crime exposure, or domestic violence.
“Operation Dragon Eye was much more than a U.S. Marshals Service operation; it was a community initiative,” said U.S. Marshals Service Deputy in Charge Mario Price. This operation had three primary objectives: recover critically missing youth, provide them with essential services including appropriate placement, and to deter bad actors exploiting missing child vulnerabilities.
In addition to recovering missing children, the operation also arrested eight people with charges that included: human trafficking, child endangerment, narcotics possession, and custodial interference.
According to the St. Petersburg Police Department, officers located 11 missing juveniles and arrested two people, one with human trafficking.
“This operation is a powerful example of the importance of collaboration,” said Tampa Police Department Chief Lee Bercaw. “These arrests and recoveries serve as a reminder of the Tampa Police Department’s commitment to fight to protect our most vulnerable.”
