Major Child Rescue Operation in Florida Recovers 60 Critically Missing Children
Operation Dragon Eye: Historic Rescue of 60 Critically Missing Children in Florida
In a groundbreaking two-week operation, authorities in Florida have successfully located and recovered 60 critically missing children across Hillsborough, Pinellas, and Pasco counties. Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced the results of Operation Dragon Eye during a press conference in Tampa on Monday, describing it as the largest child rescue operation in both Florida and U.S. history.
The operation, which ran from June 2 to June 13, involved a collaborative effort from over 20 agencies and more than 100 law enforcement personnel, social service organizations, and medical professionals. The children, aged between 9 and 17, were provided with essential physical and psychological care, nourishment, and access to social services and child advocates.
“This is what it’s all about. This is why we do the job,” Uthmeier stated, emphasizing the importance of the operation in providing a safe haven for vulnerable youths. “Many of these kids have been through painful disastrous situations, but at least today, we’ve rescued them, and we now can work towards recovery.”
The operation also led to the arrests of eight individuals, including one on a human trafficking charge. Other charges included child endangerment, narcotics possession, and custodial interference. The bonds for the suspects ranged from no bond to an astonishing $250 million, according to William Berger, U.S. Marshal for the Middle District of Florida.
St. Petersburg police played a significant role in the operation, recovering 11 of the youths and arresting two suspects, one of whom faced human trafficking charges. Chief Anthony Holloway remarked, “This shows everyone that here, not just in Florida, but in the Tampa Bay area, we are serious about recovering our children and making sure we bring them back home safely. To the suspects who are out there: We’re coming to get you.”
The Tampa Police Department’s Special Victims Unit contributed six detectives to the operation, reinforcing the collaborative spirit of the initiative. “Each recovery and arrest is more than a statistic. It’s a reminder of our shared commitment to protecting the most vulnerable among us,” said Tampa Police Chief Lee Bercaw.
BayCare Health System provided medical care for the children, while Bridging Freedom, a nonprofit dedicated to combating child sex trafficking, offered mentorship and support. Katherine Gomez, director of human trafficking intervention at the state Department of Juvenile Justice, noted that more than half of the recovered youths had previously been involved in the juvenile justice system.
Taylor Hatch, secretary of the Department of Children and Families, highlighted the extensive coordination required for such a large-scale operation. “A DCF team provided critical information, helped shape recovery protocols, and deployed child protective investigators, criminal justice coordinators, and human trafficking specialists to support this mission in real time,” Hatch explained.
The U.S. Marshals Service defines “critically missing” children as those at risk of violence or facing elevated risk factors such as substance abuse, sexual exploitation, or exposure to crime and domestic violence. The success of Operation Dragon Eye serves as a powerful reminder of the ongoing efforts to protect and recover vulnerable children in our communities.