Auburn Missing Children Safely Recovered in Massachusetts Through Joint Law Enforcement Recovery Operation

Portland, ME — Yesterday afternoon, through a combined investigative effort of the Auburn, Maine Police Department and the United States Marshals Service (USMS), authorities safely recovered two Auburn missing children in Dorchester, Massachusetts.

On September 21st, Auburn Police Department investigators requested assistance from the United States Marshals Service, District of Maine, to help locate two children under the age of 15 who were reported missing and believed to have run away together, possibly leaving the state.

Through a joint investigative effort between the United States Marshals Service’s District of Maine, District of Massachusetts, Auburn Police Department, and the Boston Police Department, investigators determined that the two children were in the Dorchester area. Later that afternoon, both were recovered without incident.

Missing child operational initiatives require a multidisciplinary approach and coordination between the United States Marshals Service, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, and numerous local, state, and federal agencies, each playing a critical role in the mission to locate and recover endangered and critically missing children.

“This case illustrates the importance of collaboration and communication between local, state, and federal agencies. The safe recovery of these two children is the direct result of disciplined investigative work, rapid information sharing, and the strong partnerships our task forces rely on every day.” Said David St. Pierre, The United States Marshal for the District of Maine. “I commend the Auburn Police Department, our U.S. Marshals Service districts, and the Boston Police Department for their professionalism and commitment throughout this case.”

In May 2015, the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act (JVTA) granted the United States Marshals Service discretionary authority to support law enforcement requests for assistance on missing child cases. Under this authority, the USMS assists state, local, and federal agencies, upon request, in locating and recovering missing children, with a focus on “critically missing” cases involving suspected violence or elevated risk factors identified by law enforcement.