FBI, US Marshals, & The State of Florida officials have announced the successful conclusion of “Operation Home for the Holidays” a massive two-week initiative that has recovered 122 missing and endangered children.

Operation Home for the Holidays: U.S. Marshals Service

Led by the U.S. Marshals Service in collaboration with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE), the Department of Children and Families (DCF), and over 200 partner agencies, this operation stands as one of the largest child-recovery missions in U.S. history.

U.S. Marshals Service: Florida & Mexico

The task force combed through shadows in Tampa Bay, Orlando, Jacksonville, Fort Myers, and even extended its reach into nine other states and Mexico. The numbers paint a staggering picture of the battle being fought for our youth:

• 57 children recovered in the Tampa Bay region.
• 29 children found in Fort Myers.
• 22 children rescued in Jacksonville.
• 14 children located in Orlando.

These are not just statistics; they are young lives ranging from 23 months to 17 years old. Many were pulled from horrific situations involving human trafficking, severe neglect, and drug exposure.

In one heartbreaking but triumphant case in Jacksonville, two brothers found malnourished and exposed to methamphetamine told their rescuers simply, “Thank you for saving our lives.”

Justice for the Vulnerable

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier didn’t mince words when announcing the results, stating, “Many of these kids have been victimized in unspeakable ways. We will prosecute their abusers to the fullest extent of the law.”

Already, six felony arrests have been made, with more anticipated as investigations continue. But the primary victory remains the immediate safety of these children.

From a pregnant teen receiving her first prenatal care to a toddler located safely across the border in Mexico, the operation focused on rapid access to services—ensuring that rescue was just the first step toward healing.

A Promise of Restoration

As believers, we know that God’s heart beats fiercely for the innocent. The timing of this operation—”Home for the Holidays”—reminds us that while we decorate our homes, there is a Father who is actively working to bring His lost children home.

What The Bible Says:

The Bible speaks clearly about God’s relentless pursuit of the captive. In Isaiah 49:25 (CJB), we find a powerful promise that mirrors the victory we are witnessing today:

“But here is what Adonai says: ‘Even captives of the mighty will be taken away, and the tyrant’s booty delivered; for I will fight those who fight you, and I will save your children.’”

This week, we saw that promise manifested through the bravery of men and women in uniform.

Join the Fight

While we celebrate this victory, let it fuel our prayers. Pray for the physical and emotional healing of these 122 children. Pray for the continued success of law enforcement agencies who stand as a shield against evil.

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Sources:

• ClickOrlando.com: Operation Home for the Holidays rescues 122 children
• Office of the Attorney General of Florida