Florida authorities announced the rescue of 122 missing or at-risk children during a massive police operation that lasted two weeks across the state. The operation, dubbed “Home for the Holidays,” was presented as one of the largest of its kind in the United States, according to Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier. “Protecting our children, keeping them safe, and preventing them from being exploited is why we do this work,” Uthmeier stated during a press conference on Monday. Minors located in multiple cities. The operation involved state, local, and federal agencies, including the US Marshals Service, which worked together to locate the minors through fieldwork and intelligence analysis. The rescues were distributed as follows: 57 children in the Tampa Bay area, 22 in Jacksonville, 14 in Orlando, and 29 in Fort Myers. The operation also located minors in nine other states, although authorities did not specify how many were recovered outside of Florida.

The rescued children range in age from 23 months to 17 years, and many of them had faced abuse, exploitation, neglect, or direct exposure to criminal activity.

Six people arrested

During the operation, six suspects were arrested, authorities said. While their identities were not released, some will face serious charges related to child sexual abuse and interference with child custody.

"Many of these children have been victimized in unspeakable ways. We will prosecute their abusers to the fullest extent of the law," Uthmeier said in an official statement.

After the children were located, social work teams and child welfare specialists intervened to offer them care, resources, and psychological support.

“The US Marshals Service is proud to support our partners in Florida in the pursuit of the safety and well-being of our children,” said Bill Berger, Sheriff of the state's Middle District.

According to Berger, the operation directly responds to the needs and demands expressed by local communities.