Children go missing all of the time. Sometimes, it’s the result of kidnapping. Sometimes they run away. Regardless of the reason, missing children often find themselves in all sorts of unsafe situations, including human trafficking, drugs, and sexual exploitation. Unfortunately, many are unlikely to be rescued.
But the US Marshals, along with over a dozen other local and government agencies, were recently able to locate 60 missing children who had gone through Operation Dragon Eye. The children rescued range in age from 9 to 17, and were all found in Florida. It’s the biggest rescue of its kind in history.
The US Marshals Service Middle District of Florida launched Operation Dragon Eye, a two-week initiative to “recover or safely locate the most critically missing youth.” According to a statement released by the US Marshals Service on Monday, June 23, 2025, the rescue mission is “the most successful missing child operation in USMS history.”
“This operation had three primary objectives: recover critically missing youth, provide them with essential services including appropriate placement, and to deter bad actors exploiting missing child vulnerabilities,” according to officials, ABC News reported.
The US Marshals Service defines “critically missing” children as those at risk of violent crimes. Other risk factors include sexual exploitation, substance abuse, domestic violence, or exposure to crime. Recovered children were given medical resources, child advocates, food, and social services.
The recovery mission resulted in eight arrests, officials said. There were many charges, including human trafficking, child endangerment, narcotics possession, and custodial interference.
According to data Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier shared, 17 boys and 43 girls were rescued as a part of Operation Dragon Eye.
These results speak for themselves.
— Attorney General James Uthmeier (@AGJamesUthmeier) June 23, 2025
Thank God for everyone who fought to bring these kids home. pic.twitter.com/4ui2leaKhI
“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,” William Berger, US Marshal for the Middle District of Florida said, USA Today reported. “This operation further included follow-up assistance in hopes that these youth will not return to the streets to be further victimized.”
“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. “If you victimize children, you’re going to prison, end of story.”
Callahan Walsh, executive director of the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, shared a statement that praised Operation Dragon Eye. “We’re proud to have supported the U.S. Marshals Service and our partners in Florida to recover these missing children and provide critical support to those who need it most,” he shared. “NCMEC is honored to stand alongside these teams and will continue working tirelessly to help make sure that every child has a safe childhood.”
