BOSTON, MA — Federal and local law enforcement officials say 48 endangered missing children were safely recovered in Massachusetts during the conclusion of Operation Yellow Card. The effort involved the U.S. Marshals Service District of Massachusetts, Massachusetts State Police and the Boston Police Department.
Investigators said the operation was designed to identify and locate children believed to be at elevated risk of trafficking, sexual exploitation, violence and other forms of harm. Some of the recoveries came after leads were followed beyond Massachusetts.
Operation focused on children considered at heightened risk
Officials said the children recovered ranged in age from 12 to 17. The casework centered on minors who were considered vulnerable to exploitation and victimization.
Operation Yellow Card was carried out in connection with the FIFA World Cup soccer tournament, according to the announcement. Authorities used the operation to search for children who had been reported missing and who needed urgent intervention.
Some recoveries came after investigators followed leads across the country
Law enforcement did not say exactly where every child was found, but officials noted that several were located outside Massachusetts. Investigators said the search required tracking information across state lines before the children were recovered safely.
The U.S. Marshals Service said the work depended on cooperation among experienced investigators and trusted partners. Officials did not disclose how many arrests, if any, were made during the operation.
Marshal says each recovery represented a child and family changed by the outcome
Dennis Matulewicz, acting U.S. Marshal for the District of Massachusetts, said each recovery gave a family hope and reflected the agency’s mission to protect vulnerable children. He said the effort showed the value of coordinated law enforcement work aimed at stopping exploitation before more harm could occur.
The Marshals Service urged anyone with information about a missing or exploited child to contact law enforcement immediately or reach the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children.
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