TALLAHASSEE, FL — Florida officials said a five-day statewide operation led to the recovery of 163 missing children, with cases spanning ages from 2 months old to 17 years old.
Attorney General James Uthmeier said the sweep brought together state, local and federal agencies, including the Sarasota and Manatee County sheriff’s offices. Officials called it the largest effort of its kind in state history.
Regional Totals
The Tampa Bay region had the highest number of recoveries, with 46 children found during the operation.
Miami followed with 41. Jacksonville had 32, Orlando 21, Fort Myers 12, Pensacola 8 and Tallahassee 3.
Recovery Hubs
Officials said children were taken to designated recovery hubs after being found. There, they were connected with child welfare professionals, medical providers, victim advocates and other services.
Authorities said some of the children had faced abuse, neglect, exploitation or exposure to criminal activity, including human trafficking. The recovery process was meant to move them quickly into support systems.
Arrests Made
Uthmeier’s office said the operation also resulted in multiple arrests. Officials said the charges included lewd and lascivious offenses involving minors, interference with child custody and resisting an officer without violence.
Authorities did not immediately release a full breakdown of how many arrests were made or how many cases were tied to each charge.
Statewide Scope
The recoveries stretched across Florida and involved a mix of agencies working from local and regional information. Officials said the coordinated effort was designed to locate children considered missing and to place them into protective care.
The numbers released by the attorney general’s office show the effort reached every major corner of the state, from the Panhandle to South Florida. Officials said the operation will be remembered for both its size and the number of children brought back into contact with services.
What It Means
The announcement highlights how missing-child cases can move through law enforcement, child welfare and medical channels at the same time. Officials said the response was built to do more than find children; it was also meant to connect them with support right away.
For Florida agencies, the 163 recoveries stand as a new benchmark. Officials said the statewide coordination made the effort the largest of its kind in state history.
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