The U.S. Marshals in the Eastern and Western Districts of Virginia conducted a significant five-day law enforcement effort, dubbed “Operation Find Our Children.” This resulted in the rescue of 27 previously missing children and confirmed the location of six additional children previously reported as missing and subsequently discovered by the U.S. Marshals Service as being in the custody of their legal guardian.
Led by deputy U.S. Marshals from the two federal judicial districts, along with members of the U.S. Marshals Service Capital Area Regional Fugitive Task Force and special agents, police officers and detectives from numerous federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, over 60 law enforcement investigators formed the primary team in Operation Find Our Children. They were joined by more than 50 employees from the Virginia Department of Social Services and various medical professions. Subject matter experts at the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children enhanced the team.
“The Department of Justice is dedicated to protecting the most vulnerable children in our society and ‘Operation Find Our Children’ does just that,” said Jeffrey A. Rosen, Deputy Attorney General. “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. Because of this initiative, the recovered children are now out of harm’s way.”
“I can think of no more critical or satisfying mission for a law enforcement officer, than rescuing an endangered child,” added Nick E. Proffitt, U.S. Marshal for the Eastern District of Virginia.
“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. I am proud of the Deputy Marshals in the Eastern and Western Districts of Virginia and their partners for the work they accomplished this week – and the results speak for themselves; these 27 children are safe once again. I am deeply humbled and highly honored that our team in Eastern Virginia is a continuing part of this critical Marshals Service mission.”
He wants the missing children across this great nation to know the U.S. Marshals Service will never stop looking for you.
Acting U.S. Attorney Daniel P. Bubar of the Western District of Virginia said. “I applaud the United States Marshals in the Western and Eastern Districts of Virginia for their leadership and willingness to leverage their expertise and partner with sister agencies to bring missing children home. We stand ready to investigate and prosecute any leads that come from this important operation.”