Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced the results of Operation Home for the Holidays, a sweeping, multi-state rescue mission that safely recovered 122 missing children. Led by the U.S. Marshals Service with support from state and local agencies, the effort is being described as one of the largest child-recovery operations in American history.
According to Uthmeier, the operation exceeded the scale and reach of Operation Dragon Eye, a major recovery initiative conducted earlier this year. Over a two-week span, law enforcement teams worked across Tampa Bay, Orlando, Jacksonville, and Fort Myers, as well as nine additional states, to locate missing and endangered youth. The effort resulted in six felony arrests, with more charges expected as investigations continue.
“Thanks to one of the single largest child-rescue operations in U.S. history, 122 missing children are safe,” Uthmeier said. He credited coordinated law enforcement efforts across jurisdictions and emphasized that prosecutors intend to pursue maximum penalties for offenders. “Many of these kids have been victimized in unspeakable ways. We will prosecute their abusers to the fullest extent of the law.”
U.S. Marshal Bill Berger said the operation was shaped by needs identified within Florida communities. “The United States Marshals Service is proud to stand with our partners across the state of Florida in pursuit of the safety and welfare of our children,” Berger said. “We are honored to play a leading role in answering those calls.”
State agencies also highlighted the role of interagency coordination and Governor Ron DeSantis’ emphasis on protecting vulnerable youth. FDLE Deputy Commissioner Vaden Pollard said the successful recovery effort demonstrated the strength of partnerships among federal, state, and local agencies. “By gathering critical intelligence, pursuing every lead, and working together… we achieved a unified mission and delivered meaningful results—122 children and youth are now safe,” Pollard said.
Department of Children and Families Secretary Taylor N. Hatch and Florida Department of Juvenile Justice Secretary Matthew J. Walsh echoed that message, noting that the operation prioritized rapid access to child-centered services. Victim advocates and child-welfare specialists worked alongside investigators to provide immediate support once each child was located.
In total, teams located 57 children in the Tampa Bay area, 14 in Orlando, 22 in Jacksonville, and 29 in Fort Myers. Recoveries in nine additional states broadened the operation’s reach. The children ranged from 23 months to 17 years old, and many had been exposed to abuse, neglect, exploitation, or criminal activity.
The Attorney General’s Office of Statewide Prosecution will pursue multiple felony cases generated by the operation, including charges related to sexual battery on a child and custodial interference. Officials said further arrests and charges are likely as ongoing investigations continue.
