60 Missing Children Found In Florida In Operation Dragon Eye

In a major multi-agency operation, 60 missing children have been rescued across the Tampa Bay Area, Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier and U.S. Marshal William Berger announced Monday.

The rescue, part of the coordinated effort known as Operation Dragon Eye, also resulted in the arrest of eight individuals, including one charged with human trafficking.

“The real heroes behind this operation are the law enforcement who built and executed this mission. As your Attorney General and a father of three young kids, protecting children is my top priority,” Uthmeier said in a statement. “If you victimize children, you’re going to prison, end of story.”

The children, ranging in age from 9 to 17, were classified as “critically missing.” According to Berger, each recovered child was interviewed and given immediate access to both physical and psychological care.

“The unique part of this operation was the fact that underaged critically missing children ranging from age 9 to 17 were not only recovered but were debriefed and provided with physical and psychological care,” Berger said. “This operation further included follow-up assistance in hopes that these youth will not return back to the streets to be further victimized.”

Operation Dragon Eye involved 20 agencies working together under the direction of the U.S. Marshals Office, with legal support from the Florida Office of Statewide Prosecution. Uthmeiers OSP will lead the prosecutions, joined by the State Attorneys from the Sixth and Thirteenth Judicial Circuits. Special Counsel Rita Peters is assigned to prosecute the lead human trafficking case, while two additional cases remain under investigation.

“60 kids saved. That number sends the message that Florida will never be a safe place for traffickers,” Florida Department of Law Enforcement Commissioner Mark Glass. “At FDLE, we will continue to fight for those who cannot fight for themselves. And to any family still missing their child, we will never stop searching until we make sure they are brought home safely.”

Florida Department of Children and Families Secretary Taylor Hatch credited the success to strong interagency collaboration and a clear mission.

“Under the steadfast leadership of Governor DeSantis, the Florida Department of Children and Families remains unrelenting when it comes to the protection, safety, and well-being of some of the most vulnerable Floridians — our children,” Hatch said. “I am appreciative of our DCF team members and key partners that provided critical information, helped shape recovery protocols, and secured safe housing and ongoing supports to ensure that every child recovered was met with care and compassion.”

The eight individuals arrested face charges ranging from human trafficking and child endangerment to drug possession and trafficking.