The United States Marshals Service (USMS) win recently spearheaded a very strong multi-agency operation in a number of Florida counties in what has been termed as the most successful missing child recovery mission in the history of the agency. The operation was called Operation Dragon-Eye and led to the safe recovery or finding of 60 severely missing children within the boundaries of Hillsborough, Pinellas, and Pasco Counties.
The joint effort of the USMS clarified with the help of numerous federal, state, and local agencies resulted in the two-week operation. As described by William Berger, United States Marshal in the Middle District of Florida, the operation was unique in regard of the care and follow-up support given to the involved children. Berger continued, saying teenagers and children between the ages of 9 and 17 who had been critically missing were retrieved and debriefed and given physical and psychological care, as well. This was an operation that was unique. This was accompanied by follow up services to help them be safe in the long run.
According to the USMS, youth who are considered to be in a more vulnerable position are potentially vulnerable to factors, including exposure to violence, exploitation, substance use or unsafe environments. Operation Dragon-Eye, as was the case with the Frozen Angels, was more than a recovery operation; it placed special emphasis on the provision of support services and live placements to the children found.
Mario Price, Deputy in Charge, of the U.S. Marshals Service said, this was not simply a Marshals operation, but a community initiative. He stressed that the mission involves three main objectives, namely, seeking information about the critically missing children, offering post-search support to parents of the children, and preventing further harm by finding people who may attempt to use the vulnerable children.
There were eight arrests related to the operation with people getting severe charges. Marshal Berger has suggested that in these incidences it was the adult who was the person in the know as to the ages of the children. He added that there are some who also had more than one child in their care and that is very disturbing. The charges include endangerment and illegal possession and the other crimes.
Among the agencies that participated included the St. Petersburg Police Department that reported 11 juvenile recoveries and two arrests, including one involving a serious offense. This operation highlights the necessity of the teamwork in the industry of public safety, said Tampa Police Chief Lee Bercow. These results are an indication of our dedication towards safeguarding the least privileged in our society.
Operation Dragon-Eye demonstrates the strength of a concerted mayhem and sustained support in making sure that children are not only located but also provided a chance at healing and favor. The affected agencies are still tracing them up to make sure those recovered are safe and good in future.
