More than 120 missing and endangered children were rescued across Florida and several other states during a sweeping two-week child-recovery mission led by the U.S. Marshals Service. The effort, called Operation Home for the Holidays, targeted traffickers, abusers, and predators who hid children in dangerous environments.
Florida officials confirmed the rescued children ranged from 23 months to 17 years old. They were located in major cities including Tampa (57), Fort Myers (29), Jacksonville (22), and Orlando (14), with additional recoveries in nine other states. Two children were also found in Mexico and Guatemala.
What happened?
Authorities said investigators used real-time intelligence, surveillance, and rapid deployment teams to locate children tied to cases involving sexual exploitation, pornography operations, prostitution, drug trafficking, and severe neglect.
FBI Director Kash Patel praised the joint operation, crediting the speed and coordination to President Donald Trump’s administration.
“Every child rescued is a reminder of why we do this work,” Patel told Fox News Digital. “Under President Trump’s leadership, agencies are moving faster, sharing intelligence better, and hunting down predators who think they can hide in our communities.”
Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier described the effort as one of the largest child-rescue missions in U.S. history, noting that many children endured “unspeakable abuse.”
Where were the children taken?
After recovery, children were transported to safe facilities, including Golisano Children’s Hospital in Southwest Florida. There, they received medical evaluations, emotional support, and basic essentials.
Staff prepared specialized rooms with regular beds, warm showers, clothing options, and meals of the children’s choosing—an intentional shift toward restoring dignity and trust.
Pediatric nurse Lisa Dorsey said giving the children control over simple choices helped them feel safe again.
“For them to finally have a safe interaction with healthcare meant a lot,” she said.
The Department of Children and Families will determine long-term placements.
Arrests and ongoing investigations
So far, six adults have been charged with crimes including:
- Sexual battery
- Lewd and lascivious acts
- Child neglect
- Custodial interference
- Narcotics possession
- Terroristic threats
- Endangerment
More arrests are expected as the children continue to disclose information.
U.S. Marshal William Berger said the operation is far from over, adding that the intelligence gathered will fuel upcoming prosecutions.
Why this operation matters
Officials emphasized that the mission succeeded because of partnerships between:
- U.S. Marshals
- FBI
- State and local police
- Child welfare advocates
- Healthcare teams
Uthmeier issued a stern warning:
“Child predators, stay out of Florida. You are not welcome here.”
Authorities expect more statewide operations of similar scale as Florida continues to position itself as one of the toughest states on crimes involving children.
