43 critically missing children recovered during ‘Operation Northern Lights’ in North Florida
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV) – From a 13-year-old missing for 8 months to a 1-year-old missing from Leon County, a total of 43 children, all reported as critically missing, have been found.
The children were located in a recent 12-day recovery mission labeled “Operation Northern Lights” led by the U.S. Marshals Service and other agencies.
Some of the children were believed to have been taken across multiple county and even state lines before being found. Officials say the critically missing classification is used to define kids who may be at risk of crimes of violence, substance abuse, sexual exploitation, crime exposure or domestic violence.
Sergeant Rachel Buell with the Leon County Sheriff’s Office said the law enforcement agencies began by compiling a list of those who were critically missing and then splitting the cases up by jurisdiction.
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Officers went door-to-door, scoured social media, and made phone calls, among other efforts, to narrow down where the kids could be.
Buell said when a child goes missing, there is an 80% chance they will be a victim of human trafficking, and so in these cases, time is crucial.
“You would think that finding kids probably wouldn’t be that hard, they’re kids. But in all reality, they’re harder to find sometimes than the adults,” Buell said. “Finding them before they find themselves in situations that they can’t get themselves out of is important to us.”
Nine people were arrested for their involvement in these cases, and future charges are expected, ranging from human trafficking to child endangerment and custodial interference.
Officials say they plan to continue recovery missions like Operation Northern Lights to help bring more kids back home with their families.
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