Police Participate in Multi-Agency Child-Recovery Operation

Published on August 26, 2026

Police Participate in Multi-Agency Child-Recovery Operation

The West Palm Beach Police Department participated in Operation Statewide Shield, a 5-day statewide operation focused on identifying, locating, and recovering missing children under the age of 18 across the state of Florida. Developed with a specific goal to provide immediate access to child-focused services, the investigation utilized real-time intelligence and field operations for location and recovery. As part of the operation, five children who had been reported missing to the West Palm Beach Police Department were located and safely recovered.

The multi-disciplinary task force proactively located vulnerable youth across the state of Florida, including 46 recoveries in the Tampa Bay region, 41 in Miami, 32 in Jacksonville, 21 in Orlando, 12 in Fort Myers, 8 in Pensacola, and 3 in the Tallahassee region. The operation also resulted in locations and recoveries in six states, one U.S. territory, and 12 countries. The children ranged in age from 2 months to 17 years old, and many had experienced various levels of abuse, neglect, exploitation, or exposure to other criminal activity.

Recovered children needing assistance were safely transported by local law enforcement to designated recovery hubs, where they received support from social services, child welfare professionals, medical providers, victim advocates, and other child-centered resources. All recovery information was documented through the Missing Endangered Persons Information Clearinghouse (MEPIC) to ensure case closure.

“Children are among the most vulnerable members of our communities, and protecting them is one of our greatest responsibilities. Through this coordinated statewide effort, law enforcement partners located and safely recovered 163 children. This operation demonstrates what we can accomplish when agencies work together with urgency, compassion, and a shared commitment to protecting those who cannot protect themselves,” said West Palm Beach Police Chief Tony Araujo. “I am proud of the men and women of the West Palm Beach Police Department and our partners across the state who worked tirelessly to bring these children to safety.”

The Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) and the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) handled the transfer of custody for recovered children.

Attorney General Uthmeier’s Office of Statewide Prosecution and the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office served as legal advisors for the initiative, and are taking on 3 felony cases generated by the operation.

###

Demetrius Latham, Jr. 

Public Information Officer

pdpio@wpb.org