WINK Digital Team
•8/25/2026
TAMPA, Fla. — Florida officials say they have recovered 163 missing children in what is being called the largest operation of its kind in state history.
Attorney General James Uthmeier announced the results of Operation Statewide Shield, a five-day statewide effort focused on finding and recovering missing children.
"Many of these kids have been victimized by those who prey on the most vulnerable," Uthmeier said. "Thanks to the outstanding work of FDLE, the Office of Statewide Prosecution and our state and local partners, these children are now safe and receiving the care they deserve."
The children ranged in age from two months to 17 years old, and many had experienced abuse, neglect, exploitation or exposure to criminal activity including human trafficking.
The operation covered multiple regions across Florida, with Tampa Bay leading recoveries at 46, followed by Miami with 41, Jacksonville with 32, Orlando with 21, Fort Myers with 12, Pensacola with eight and Tallahassee with three.
Children were also located across the U.S. in states including Alabama, California, Ohio, New York, North Carolina and Tennessee, as well as in Puerto Rico and countries including Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Finland, Ghana, Guatemala, Italy, Jamaica, Mexico, Spain and Taiwan.
Multiple arrests were made during the operation, including one person wanted on three counts of lewd and lascivious acts with a minor who also had a warrant for interfering with child custody.
FDLE Commissioner Mark Glass said the operation showed what agencies can accomplish when they work together.
"This operation brought together state, local and federal partners to safely return home 163 missing children," Glass said.
Recovered children were taken to designated recovery hubs where they received support from social services, medical providers, victim advocates and child welfare professionals.
Law enforcement says more arrests are expected in the coming days, and multiple investigations tied to the operation remain ongoing.
