U.S. Marshals, Partner Agencies, Conduct Missing Child Operation

Los Angeles, CA - The U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) Central District of California and the Riverside County Sheriff’s Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force (RCAHT) in partnership with various other agencies, conducted a weeklong child recovery operation dubbed Operation Safe Return that led to the recovery or safe location of 37 children and seven arrests, including a significant federal arrest connected to child sex trafficking, underscoring the serious nature of the threats faced by vulnerable youth.

Throughout the operation, over 50 children aged 14 to 17 were identified as missing within Riverside County, with additional cases located in neighboring regions such as San Bernardino, Orange, and Los Angeles Counties, as well as further afield in northern California, Arizona, and Nevada.

The children who were safely located or recovered during Operation Safe Return received critical victim advocacy services, medical support when necessary, and follow-up resources to facilitate their reunification with legal guardians or find appropriate placement.

The primary mission of Operation Safe Return is to recover and safely locate critically missing children—defined by the USMS as those at heightened risk of violence or serious threats, including substance abuse, sexual exploitation, and exposure to crime or domestic violence.

Operation Safe Return is centered around three key objectives:

1. Recover critically cissing children.
2. Provide essential services, ensuring appropriate medical support, advocacy, placements and support for recovered children.
3. Deter exploitation by taking action against individuals who exploit the vulnerabilities of missing children.

At its core, Operation Safe Return seeks to illuminate the importance of collaboration among government and non-government agencies. 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 this way, Operation Safe Return not only focuses on recovery but also emphasizes the need for community engagement and vigilance in the fight against the factors contributing to child disappearances. This operation stands as a reminder of the collective responsibility to protect our children and ensure their safety amidst rising challenges. 

The success of Operation Safe Return could not be possible without all of our federal, state, local, victim advocacy, and community safety partner agencies. 

Federal Law Enforcement Partners: USMS Southern District of California, Homeland Security Investigations, FBI, and U.S. Secret Service 

State Law Enforcement Partners: Riverside County Sheriff’s Office, Riverside County District Attorney’s Office, Riverside County Department of Public Social Services – Welfare Fraud Investigations, Riverside County Probation Department, Riverside Police Department, California Highway Patrol, California Department of Justice, Banning Police Department, Beaumont Police Department, Murrieta Police Department, Anaheim Police Department, and Los Angeles Police Department.

Victim Advocacy and Community Safety Partner Agencies: Riverside County Children and Family Services, Riverside University Health System, REACH, Rebirth Homes, The Shepherds, National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, Riverside County Office of Education, and Free International.

The Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act of 2015 enhanced the USMS discretionary authority to assist other law enforcement agencies with the recovery of missing, endangered or abducted children, regardless of whether a fugitive or sex offender was involved. The U.S. Marshals have a Missing Child Unit to oversee and manage the implementation of its enhanced authority under the act. Upon request, the Marshals assist other law enforcement agencies with the recovery of “critically missing children,” who have gone missing under circumstances that indicate an elevated risk to the child. Since 2015, when the Marshals received enhanced authority under the act, the agency has located or recovered more than 4,561 missing children. The U.S. Marshals have located or recovered missing children in 67 percent of cases received. Of those recovered, 61 percent were found within seven days. The U.S. Marshals are leading the way in a nationwide effort to rescue and recover missing and exploited children, thereby aiding in the prevention of human trafficking.