In a sweeping two-week campaign, authorities from across the Tampa Bay region in Florida have recovered 60 critically missing children in an operation that has become a historic achievement for U.S. law enforcement. The initiative, known as "Operation Dragon Eye," concluded with the rescue of numerous children, many of whom were subjected to human trafficking, and the arrest of eight individuals implicated in these heinous crimes.
Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier and the U.S. Marshals Service, alongside more than 20 participating agencies, including the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and sheriff's offices from Hillsborough, Pasco, and Pinellas counties, coordinated this extensive effort. U.S. Marshal William Berger, in a press release, expressed a subdued elation due to the sensitive nature of the case, citing the operation as the most successful in the history of the U.S. Marshals Service for recovering missing children.
The children, some missing for months or even years, were found in precarious situations, often in motels and private residences. Authorities revealed that several of the recovered girls were pregnant, with allegations pointing to their traffickers as the perpetrators. Following the rescue, all minors have been placed in safe custody, receiving referrals to trauma recovery and medical care services. Organizations such as Bridging Freedom, Redefining Refuge, and BayCare are integral to the ongoing rehabilitation process.
Callahan Walsh from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children commended the collaborative spirit of the operation, emphasizing the remarkable outcomes achievable when agencies share a common goal to protect the vulnerable. The operation specifically targeted children considered "critically missing"—those at high risk of violence, abuse, or exploitation.
The arrests during the mission spanned charges from human trafficking and child endangerment to drug offenses, with officials noting that additional investigations are underway. Since 2015, the U.S. Marshals Service has heightened its focus on recovering critically endangered minors, with Operation Dragon Eye continuing this important work. The success of the operation underscored the significance of public tips and community vigilance in locating many of the children.
Attorney General Uthmeier lauded the efforts of law enforcement and pledged ongoing actions to find missing children and dismantle trafficking rings. He made it clear that victimizing children would result in prison sentences. The operation's success has sparked renewed advocacy for partnership between law enforcement and community entities to safeguard the nation's youth.
As law enforcement prepares for further operations throughout the state, officials are calling upon the public to maintain awareness and report any suspicious activities. Attorney General Uthmeier, in a tweet, highlighted the operation's scale and the commitment to helping the rescued children heal while continuing the fight to protect the young.
