A six-week, nationwide operation known as "Operation We Will Find You 2", conducted by the U.S. Marshall Service, led to the recovery of 200 "critically missing children", with the technical assistance of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC).

The missing children were believed to be a combination of endangered runaways and ones who were believed to have been "abducted by noncustodial persons."

Of the 200 found, 123 were rescued from what was believed to be "dangerous circumstances", and 77 were found in "safe locations". The primary operation was conducted in several Michigan counties but also included operations in "Arizona, California, Florida, North Carolina, New York City and Oregon".

One highlighted story was that of a 16-year-old girl who had appeared on social media being held at gun point by an assailant who claimed she had tried to escape. The man has been arrested and the victim was released to child protective services.

Another rescue involved a 15-year-old female, who was reported missing by her legal guardian since May 13. "Information indicated she might be staying at other people's houses or sleeping in parks in Miami-Dade, Florida." The investigation revealed she child had become a victim of human trafficking in the Miami-Dade area. The U.S. Marshals Service, in collaboration with local police, located the child in June in an apartment complex. She was subsequently returned to the custody of the Florida Department of Child and Family Services. Stephanie Forth, "US Marshals rescue 200 critically missing children in nationwide operation", www.wwmt.com (Jul. 01, 2024).

Commentary and Checklist

Child sex trafficking is defined as a form of child abuse. It occurs when a minor is advertised, solicited, or exploited through a "commercial sex act".
"Commercial sex acts" include when something of value – money, drugs, food, clothing, attention, "love", friendship, or a place to stay – is given to a person in exchange for sexual activity. https://www.justice.gov/criminal/criminal-ceos/child-sex-trafficking

Child sex trafficking is prohibited by federal law (18 U.S.C. §1591) and state laws.

NCMEC reports that in 2021, it received more than 17,200 reports of child sex trafficking from all 50 U.S. States, Washington, D.C. and Puerto Rico . This included reports from every type of community: "cities, small towns and tribal land." https://www.missingkids.org/content/dam/missingkids/pdfs/CST%20Identification%20Resource.pdf

What should safe adults look for to help protect children from trafficking?

• Trafficked children may show signs of shame or disorientation. They may be hungry, malnourished, or show signs of physical abuse.
   
• Some trafficked children experience traumatic bonding (Stockholm syndrome), refuse to make eye contact, and fear government officials, such as police and immigration officers.
   
• Trafficked children claim they are "just visiting" an address or cannot clarify where he or she is staying. Sometimes they do not know what city they are in or what time it is.
   
• A trafficking victim lacks freedom of movement, cannot socialize, leave work, or contact loved ones.
   
• Common working and living conditions for a child under 18 forced into labor include:
• Providing commercial sex acts
• Having a pimp
• Being paid little or nothing for work performed
• Working long hours
• Having no breaks
• Living and working in high security with opaque windows, boarded up windows, bars on windows, barbed wire, security cameras, etc.)