Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced the “historic” recovery of over 100 children in a statewide rescue operation titled “Operation Home for the Holidays.”
The U.S. Marshals Service-led initiative located or safely recovered 122 children, which the attorney general’s office said makes it “one of the largest child-recovery operations in American history.”
“Thanks to one of the single largest child-rescue operations in U.S. history, 122 missing children are safe,” Attorney General Uthmeier said in a press release on Monday.
The operation spanned two weeks and multiple law enforcement agencies, including the Florida Department of Law Enforcement; the Department of Children and Families; and the Department of Juvenile Justice, among others.
Focused on central Florida, Operation Home for the Holidays located or recovered 57 children in the Tampa Bay region, 14 in Orlando, 22 in Jacksonville and 29 in Fort Myers. The operation also located missing children in nine other states.
The children ranged in age from 23 months to 17 years old. The attorney general’s office explained many “had experienced various levels of abuse, neglect, exploitation, or exposure to other criminal activity.”
The operation resulted in six felony arrests; additional charges are expected.
“This operation highlights the strength and diligence of Florida’s Law Enforcement,” Uthmeier added Monday. “I am deeply grateful for everyone that made Operation Home for the Holidays a massive success. Many of these kids have been victimized in unspeakable ways. We will prosecute their abusers to the fullest extent of the law.”
At a press conference announcing the operation’s success, the attorney general gave a grave warning to child predators.
“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 are going to lock you up for as long as possible and where eligible for child sex battery, we will indeed seek the death penalty.”
Uthmeier asked for prayers for the recovered children. Local officials will help “find them homes where they are loved, where they are protected, where they will be empowered to lead successful lives,” he said.
“We’re going to get them on the road to recovery.”
In Matthew 19:14, Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven” (ESV).
Likewise, Matthew 18:6 reads, “Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea” (ESV).
Over the past 2,000 years, the Christian religion has done more than any other faith, ideology or institution in human history to bestow dignity and value upon the most vulnerable – especially women and children.
This flows from the distinctly Judeo-Christian belief that human beings are made in the image and likeness of God, the Imago Dei, and thus deserve to be treated with dignity and respect.
As John Stonestreet has written in Breakpoint,
Our culture is not unlike that of the Roman Empire, an era obsessed with sex but indifferent or opposed to children, who are increasingly seen as optional lifestyle accessories to suit the desires of adults.
Like the early Christians, our faithfulness requires being counter-cultural in our attitudes about sex and children.
We give thanks for the men and women of law enforcement who face many dangers in upholding the law and protecting the most vulnerable among us. We know they are God’s instruments of justice and righteousness (Rom. 13:3-4).
“This operation reflects the power of strong partnerships and a shared commitment under Governor DeSantis’ leadership to protect Florida’s children,” said Florida Department of Law Enforcement Deputy Commissioner Vaden Pollard.
“By gathering critical intelligence, pursuing every lead, and working together with our federal, state, and local partners, we achieved a unified mission and delivered meaningful results — 122 children and youth are now safe, and that is a victory for our entire state.”
The Justice Department urges the public to remain vigilant and report suspected exploitation of a child through the FBI’s tipline at 1-800-CALL-FBI (225-5324), tips.fbi.gov, or by calling your local FBI field office.
If you or someone you know is a victim of human trafficking, call the National Human Trafficking Hotline (1-888-373-7888). The Trafficking Hotline also connects victims and survivors of sex and labor trafficking with services they need to get help and stay safe.
Related articles and resources:
Counseling Consultation & Referrals
National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC)
NCMEC’s 24/7 call center number: 1-800-THE-LOST (843-5678)
My Rescue From Human Trafficking to New Life in Christ
Protecting Your Child From Sexual Abuse
Understanding the Scope of Human Trafficking
Human Trafficking: What You Need to Know
Talking to Your Kids About Sexual Abuse
How to Prevent Sexual Exploitation of Your Child
How to Fight Human Trafficking
Over 30 Children Recovered, Trafficking Operations Busted in ‘Operation Lightning Bug’
DOJ Announces Rescue of 10 Children from Trafficking: ‘There is No Greater Evil’
Photo from Getty Images.
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