Florida’s Operation Dragon Eye rescues dozens of ‘critically missing’ children in massive sting

Dozens of children were rescued in a blow to child sex trafficking operations in Florida agents informed Monday Dubbed Operation Dragon Eye the initiative was spearheaded by the U S Marshals Office for the Central District of Florida and supported by the state Attorney General James Uthmeier s Office of Statewide Prosecution OSP The effort involved agencies working in tandem to locate critically missing children and apprehend subjects tied to trafficking drugs and child endangerment The real heroes behind this operation are the law enforcement who built and executed this mission Uthmeier reported in a release As your Attorney General and a father of three young kids protecting children is my top priority If you victimize children you're going to prison end of story SHERIFF REVEALS ILLEGAL SETTLERS NOT ON FEDERAL 'RADAR' AMONG ARRESTED IN FLORIDA SEX-TRAFFICKING STINGAuthorities stated the recovered children ranged in age from to and several of them were missing and at liability of being exploited The U S Marshals Provision defines critically missing children as those at danger of crimes of violence or those with other elevated pitfall factors such as substance abuse sexual exploitation crime exposure or domestic violence The operation uncovered the gut-wrenching realities of sex trafficking including several young girls who were pregnant one of them carrying the child of her trafficker Authorities stressed that the operation didn t end with their rescue but each child received immediate diagnostic evaluations and psychological endorsement with long-term care protocols set in motion The unique part of this operation was the fact that underaged critically missing children were not only recovered but were debriefed and provided with physical and psychological care revealed U S Marshal William Berger This operation further included follow-up assistance in hopes that these youths will not return back to the streets to be further victimized The Florida Department of Law Enforcement FDLE also played a central role in the operation Commissioner Mark Glass assured the parents of missing children that the department will never stop searching Sixty kids saved That number sends the message that Florida will never be a safe place for traffickers Glass commented 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 ARRESTED IN FBI CHILD SEX OPERATION PATEL AND BONDI ANNOUNCEEight individuals were arrested during the operation the agency declared They face a variety of charges including human trafficking child endangerment drug possession and drug trafficking Functionaries say the inspection is ongoing and additional charges may follow The Office of Statewide Prosecution is handling the criminal cases with patronage from state attorneys in the Sixth and Thirteenth Judicial Circuits Special Counsel Rita Peters has been appointed to lead the prosecution in the human trafficking episode while two additional trafficking cases remain under scrutiny Sex trafficking continues to pose a persistent threat in Florida with the state among the top three in the nation for released human trafficking cases alongside California and Texas according to the National Human Trafficking Hotline In alone according to the agency Florida received over signals which led to the identification of casualties The Florida Department of Children and Families DCF detected that various casualties are minors between the ages of and often lured through manipulation or online platforms In response Florida leaders have stepped up both funding and legislative efforts Gov Ron DeSantis in recent months allocated million to expand exigency shelter beds and staff aid for trafficking casualties while an additional in grant funding was provided to the FDLE WATCH Florida is being proactive about stopping human trafficking DeSantis previously explained Though our open southern confines invites criminal activity like human trafficking states can combat it with stronger penalties and increased training for crisis personnel to recognize and respond to trafficking and in the modern day I was pleased to institute those measures in Florida State lawmakers have also passed rule to increase penalties for traffickers and mandate trafficking-awareness training for hotel workers healthcare providers and school staff Fox News Digital has reached out to Uthmeier's office for comment