The Department of Justice (DOJ) announced that 200 missing children were found and rescued in a nationwide effort by the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS).
The six-week operation, called Operation We Will Find You 2 (OWWFY2), resulted in the discovery of 173 endangered runaway children, two abducted children, and 25 missing children. More than half (57%) of the children recovered were found within seven days of the USMS aiding in the endeavor.
According to the press release, the youngest child found was five months old.
Highlighted areas of the operation included several counties in Arizona, Eastern District of California, Southern District of Florida, Eastern Disctrict of North Carolina, New York City, and areas of Oregon.
Attorney General Merrick B. Garland said, “There are no words to describe the terror felt by missing children, their families, and their communities.” He noted that he is “grateful to the dedicated professionals of the U.S. Marshals Service and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children who worked to find 200 critically missing children during this six-week operation, and who work every day to keep children safe.”
USMS Director Ronald L. Davis added that one of the agency’s “top priorities” is finding missing children.
The operation was carried out from May 20 to June 24.
