A collaborative effort among multiple agencies in Florida led to the recovery of 163 children, spanning ages from 2 months to 17 years, across five continents during Operation Statewide Shield. Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced this milestone on Tuesday.
Operation Overview
Florida law enforcement joined forces with federal and international agencies over five days in mid-August to locate and rescue missing children. These children had faced various hardships, including running away, neglect, abuse, and trafficking.
The operation marked Florida’s first comprehensive child-recovery initiative and became the largest of its kind in the state’s history, as highlighted by Uthmeier.
Arrests and Charges
The operation led to several arrests connected to suspected child abuse. Three individuals, Jayden Allen Harwood, Robert Ferral Allison, and Michael Corey Prescott, were apprehended. Prescott was arrested on August 21 by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, facing charges including lewd and lascivious acts with a minor, felony battery, and aggravated assault. He also had a pending warrant for interference with child custody.
Robert Ferral Allison faced charges of lewd and lascivious battery on a minor aged 12 to 16 years and was apprehended on August 20 by the Lee County Sheriff’s Office. Jayden Allen Harwood was charged with interference in a child custody case and resisting officers without violence.
Rescue and Support
During the rescue effort, children were found in several U.S. states including Florida, Alabama, California, Ohio, New York, North Carolina, Puerto Rico, and Tennessee. Internationally, children were recovered in Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Dominica, Finland, Ghana, Guatemala, Italy, Jamaica, Mexico, Spain, and Taiwan.
Once rescued, the children were taken to designated hubs to receive necessary support. Professionals from social services, child welfare, medical care, victim advocacy, and other child-focused organizations provided assistance. Some children were reunited with their families, while others entered foster care.
Operational Leaders
This operation involved strategic planning by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE), drawing insights from previous operations such as Dragon Eye and Home for the Holidays conducted by the U.S. Marshals. Assistance came from various entities, including the Office of Statewide Prosecution, Department of Children and Families (DCF), Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ), Baycare, More to Life, and the Florida Human Trafficking Victims Fund.
Thirteen Florida sheriff’s offices contributed, including those in Manatee, Sarasota, Jacksonville, Clay, Nassau, Putnam, St. Johns, Flagler, Orange, Escambia, Hillsborough, Pasco, and Pinellas.