SHOCKING RESCUE: 60 Children Saved from Child Sex Trafficking in Florida
In a groundbreaking operation dubbed “Operation Dragon Eye,” authorities in Florida have rescued 60 children from the clutches of child sex traffickers. The operation, led 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, involved 20 agencies working together to locate critically missing children and apprehend suspects tied to trafficking, drugs, and child endangerment.
The rescued children, aged between 9 and 17, were found to be victims of horrific abuse, with several young girls discovered to be pregnant, including one carrying the child of her trafficker. Each child received immediate medical evaluations and psychological support, with long-term care protocols set in motion to ensure their safety and well-being. U.S. Marshal William Berger highlighted the uniqueness of this operation, stating that the children were not only recovered but also debriefed and provided with physical and psychological care to prevent further victimization.
Eight individuals were arrested during the operation, facing charges ranging from human trafficking to drug possession and trafficking. Florida Department of Law Enforcement Commissioner Mark Glass emphasized that the state will continue to fight against human trafficking, assuring parents of missing children that they will “never stop searching” until their children are brought home safely. The operation is a testament to the state’s commitment to protecting its most vulnerable citizens, with Governor Ron DeSantis recently allocating $4.9 million to expand emergency shelter beds and staff support for trafficking victims.
