A U.S. Marshals operation has resulted in the recovery of 122 children across Florida, State Attorney General James Uthmeier announced Monday.
The two-week statewide effort, “Operation Home for the Holidays,” is one of the largest child-recovery operations in U.S. history, according to Uthmeier, as reported by The Center Square.
At a news conference, Uthmeier warned individuals who prey on children that Florida law enforcement will pursue the strongest penalties available.
“By now you should know if you come into Florida and you want to lay a finger on our kids, if you want to prey upon them, if you want to groom them, if you want to abuse them, everybody up here is coming for you with everything we’ve got,” he said.
“We’re going to lock you up for as long as possible. Where eligible for child sex battery, we will indeed seek the death penalty.”
The operation covered Tampa Bay, Orlando, Jacksonville, and Fort Myers, involving a multi-agency and multi-disciplinary task force searching for vulnerable and missing youth throughout Central Florida.
Marshals located and rescued 57 children in the Tampa Bay region, 14 in Orlando, 22 in Jacksonville, and 29 in Fort Myers.
Authorities said the rescued children ranged in age from 23 months to 17 years old and that many “had experienced various levels of abuse, neglect, exploitation, or exposure to other criminal activity.”
So far, six felony arrests have been made, with additional charges expected as investigations continue.
Uthmeier said the operation “highlights the strength and diligence of Florida’s Law Enforcement,” adding, “Many of these kids have been victimized in unspeakable ways. We will prosecute their abusers to the fullest extent of the law.”
U.S. Marshal for the Middle District of Florida Bill Berger said the mission was structured based on community needs. “The operation was built on the wants and needs of our communities. We are honored to play a leading role in answering those calls,” he said.
According to Uthmeier, investigators relied on real-time intelligence and field-based operations to locate missing children.
Once found, authorities coordinated “rapid access to child-focused services,” including child protective services agencies, victim advocates, and child welfare specialists who provided immediate assistance.
The Attorney General’s Office of Statewide Prosecution is now handling multiple felony cases tied to the operation, including charges involving custodial interference and sexual battery on a child.
This was the second major U.S. Marshals child-recovery effort in Florida in the past four months.
In June, the U.S. Marshals Office led “Operation Dragon Eye” in the Tampa Bay area, working with 20 federal, state, and local agencies and providing legal support through the AG’s Office of Statewide Prosecution.
That operation resulted in the rescue of more than 60 children, The Center Square previously reported.
Investigations connected to both operations are ongoing.
