Federal agents and local law enforcement rescued 37 teenagers during a human trafficking operation in Southern California.
The US Marshals Service dubbed the operation “Operation Safe Return” and stated that it was especially concerned with identifying critically missing children who are at a higher risk of abuse, including violence and sexual exploitation.
Throughout the week-long operation, agents and local law enforcement apprehended seven persons. According to US Marshals, one of the people apprehended was involved in child sex trafficking.
The Marshals worked with the Riverside County Sheriff’s Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force and other Southern California agencies to locate over 50 missing teenagers aged 14 to 17.
Federal officials provided victim advocate services and medical support and reunited 37 children with their families or guardians. At its core, Operation Safe Return aims to highlight the value of partnership between government and non-government organizations,” the Marshals said in a statement. “By forming a robust multidisciplinary team, the initiative aims to pool resources and expertise to locate critically missing children more effectively while raising awareness about the ongoing epidemic of missing children.”
In addition to Riverside County agencies, the US Marshals worked with the California Highway Patrol, Anaheim Police Department, and Los Angeles Police Department.
Federal agencies like the FBI, Homeland Security, and the Secret Service all took part in the week-long exercise.
The adolescents received assistance from eight victim advocacy and community safety organizations, including the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and Riverside University Health System.
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