In a five-day-long operation across the state of Florida, law enforcement found 163 missing children between the ages of two months and 17 years old. Officials are describing this as the “first statewide child recovery initiative and the largest operation of its kind in Florida history.”
Intense Statewide Operation
Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced at a press conference on Wednesday, August 25, 2026, that the state’s Operation Statewide Shield resulted in the recovery of dozens of missing children.
Law enforcement agents used information from intelligence and field operations to identify, locate, and recover the missing children before giving them “immediate access to child-focused services.”
“Many of these kids have been victimized by those who prey on the most vulnerable,” Uthmeier said in a press release. “Thanks to the outstanding work of Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the Office of Statewide Prosecution, and our state and local partners, these children are now safe and receiving the care they deserve.”
Missing Children Found
Officials reported that law enforcement rescued 46 children in the Tampa Bay area, 41 in Miami, 32 in Jacksonville, 21 in Orlando, 12 in Fort Myers, 8 in Pensacola, and 3 in Tallahassee. They also said children were found in six other states, a U.S. territory and 12 other countries, including Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Dominica, Finland, Ghana, Guatemala, Italy and Jamaica.
Those children “had experienced various levels of abuse, neglect, exploitation or exposure to other criminal activity,” according to officials, adding that after the children were located, they were transported to “designated recovery hubs, where they received support from social services, child welfare professionals, medical providers, victim advocates and other child-centered resources.”
Nonprofits and healthcare organizations, such as behavioral health service Baycare, are among those involved in caring for the children and supporting their recovery, according to Uthmeier’s statement.
Each child filed in the Missing Endangered Persons Information Clearinghouse (MEPIC) was closed and then handed over to the Florida Department of Children and Families and the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice to handle their custody cases.
“The success of Operation Statewide Shield reaffirms what partnership can accomplish when government, faith organizations, not-for-profits, and the private sector come together, share their strengths and use their collective expertise to protect children across this state,” Florida Department of Children and Families Assistant Secretary Jonathan Stephens said.
“Under the leadership of Governor DeSantis, the Department will continue to foster opportunities to collaborate with local and state partners to maximize our impact.”
Arrests in The Operation
Uthmeier reported that several arrests were made during the missing children’s operation, and thus far three people in Jacksonville and Lee County have been identified. Michael Corey Prescott was charged with lewd and lascivious acts with a minor, felony battery, and aggravated assault. He also appeared to have an active warrant out for interfering with child custody.
Another perpetrator was identified as Robert Ferral Allison, who was also charged with lewd and lascivious battery, but on a victim 12 to 16 years old. Jayden Allen Harwood is the third identified perpetrator, who was charged with interfering in a child custody case and resisting arrest without violence.
Officials expect more arrests will be made in the upcoming days, but for now, at least the children are safe in the care of medical professionals and law enforcement officials until they can be reunited with their families.
The Operation Statewide Shield
Uthmeier said that the Operation Statewide Shield that led to the recovery of more than 160 missing children stemmed from past operations in the state of Florida, such as Operation Dragon Eye in 2025, which brought home 60 children, and Operation Home for the Holidays, where 120 missing children were found.
“Operation Statewide Shield demonstrates the power of collaboration and the unwavering commitment shared by all participating agencies and organizations to achieve a singular mission: find our kids and bring them home,” said FDLE Commissioner Mark Glass. “This operation brought together state, local, and federal partners to safely return home 163 missing children.”
If you suspect child abuse, call the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child or 1-800-422-4453, or go to http://www.childhelp.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.
