A three-day operation led by the National Child Protection Task Force recovered 21 missing and at-risk children across Southwest Florida.
More than 145 local, state, and federal personnel participated in the effort, with some children located outside Florida. Officials said many of the recovered youths were teenagers and warned that social media and online connections often play a role in putting children at risk.
“Electronics is a big problem, and social media is a big problem for kids,” said Lt. Wade Williams, who noted that missing children are often “running from something or running to something.”
The children are now receiving care and support services as they begin the recovery process. Nationwide, NCPTF has helped locate more than 218 endangered missing children through similar operations.
