US Marshals recover 27 missing children in Virginia

Authorities found 27 missing children during a 5-day operation across Virginia, the U.S. Department of Justice said on Friday.

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Six other previously reported missing children were also located in the custody of their parent or legal guardian during “Operation Find Our Children.”

“While this Virginia operation is the most recent recovery of endangered and missing children led by the U.S. Marshals Service this year, we have also recovered more than 440 kids in Georgia, Ohio, Indiana, Louisiana and other states,” Deputy Attorney General Jeffrey A. Rosen said in a statement. “Because of this initiative, the recovered children are now out of harm’s way.”

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U.S. Marshals worked with more than 60 other police officers and detectives from numerous state, federal and local agencies as well as at least 50 Virginia state social services employees and a team of medical professionals and experts from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

“I can think of no more critical or satisfying mission for a law enforcement officer, than rescuing an endangered child,” Nick E. Proffitt, U.S. Marshal for the Eastern District of Virginia, said in a statement. “This operation brought together a formidable team that was, and is, determined to come to the aid of our youth and bring to justice those among us that choose to prey on these vulnerable children.”

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U.S. Marshals have found more than 2,000 missing children since 2005. In the last five years, the agency has recovered 75% of its missing children cases.

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