Nationwide, multi-agency operation recovers 200 critically missing children, federal authorities say

CNN — The United States Marshals Service led a six-week nationwide operation that resulted in 200 critically missing children being found – the youngest being a 5-month-old, according to the US Department of Justice.

The children included endangered runaways and those abducted by parents who didn’t have custody, a news release from the Justice Department said. They were rescued from May 20 to June 24 during a nationwide effort called Operation We Will Find You 2. A critically missing child is one who is at an increased risk of danger if they are not found as soon as possible.

Federal, state and local agencies in seven federal judicial districts and locations across the United States along with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children participated in recovering the children, 123 of whom were rescued “from dangerous situations,” according to officials.

“These missing children were considered some of the most challenging recovery cases in the area, based on indications of high-risk factors such as victimization of child sex trafficking, child exploitation, sexual abuse, physical abuse, and medical or mental health conditions,” the Justice Department release states.