A five-day statewide operation in Florida has resulted in the recovery of 163 missing children, state officials announced on August 25. The effort, named Operation Statewide Shield, involved real-time intelligence and field deployments by law enforcement agencies across multiple jurisdictions.
The children were located in six U.S. states, including Florida, Alabama, California, Ohio, New York, and North Carolina, as well as in 12 countries and one U.S. territory. Recoveries spanned regions such as Tampa Bay (46 children), Miami (41), and Jacksonville (21), with additional cases in Orlando, Fort Myers, Pensacola, and Tallahassee.
Attorney General James Uthmeier stated in a press release that many of the children had been victimized by exploitation, including trafficking, abuse, or neglect. The operation also addressed cases involving foster children who ran away and teenage girls forced into prostitution or exploitative labor. Three felony cases have been filed, with additional arrests anticipated as investigations continue.
Law enforcement agencies collaborated with federal partners, foreign authorities, and non-governmental organizations to execute the operation. Jonathan Stephens, assistant secretary at the Florida Department of Children and Families, highlighted the role of public-private partnerships in the effort, stating that the collaboration demonstrated what can be achieved when diverse sectors unite to protect vulnerable populations.
The children recovered ranged in age from 2 months to 17 years, with some cases originating from international locations such as Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Finland, Ghana, Guatemala, Italy, Jamaica, Mexico, Spain, and Taiwan. Officials emphasized that the operation prioritized immediate safety and medical assistance for the children, though further details about their conditions or post-recovery support were not disclosed.
Three men have been arrested in connection with the operation, including Michael Prescott, charged with three counts of lewd and lascivious acts in Jacksonville. Additional charges and arrests are expected as authorities continue to pursue leads.
The operation marks Florida’s first statewide child-recovery initiative and is described as the largest of its kind in state history. Uthmeier stated that the state would continue leading efforts to locate missing children and prosecute predators, framing the operation as a model for future enforcement actions.