Operation Holiday Home Rescues Over 100 Children

A significant multi-agency operation has successfully rescued more than 100 children from Florida and various other states.

Dubbed Operation Holiday Home, it was spearheaded by the U.S. Marshals Service, working in collaboration with the FBI’s Jacksonville Field Office, Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, and additional federal, state, and local entities.

“Many of these children have faced unimaginable victimization, and we intend to bring their abusers to justice,” stated Jason Curley, special agent in charge at the FBI field office, emphasizing the operation’s mission to locate missing and possibly trafficked children.

Curley noted, “This kind of operation relies heavily on partnerships.”

According to reports from the Jacksonville FBI, 122 children were rescued during this two-week initiative, which wrapped up recently. The children had opportunities to engage in care and receive various services.

“At the core of the FBI’s mission is the protection of children. This operation illustrates what can be accomplished when state, local, and federal partners unite with a common goal,” the FBI Jacksonville remarked.

Law enforcement efforts led to 57 rescues in Tampa, 14 in Orlando, 22 in Jacksonville, 29 in Fort Myers, and 13 from across other states and even abroad, as stated by the Florida Attorney General’s Office.

The rescued children, ranging in age from just 23 months to 17 years, had suffered diverse degrees of abuse, neglect, exploitation, and exposure to criminal activities, as highlighted by the AG’s office.

Reports indicate that six individuals were taken into custody on felony charges, including child neglect, custodial interference, drug possession, sexual assault, and making terroristic threats.

Florida Attorney General James Usmayer characterized this operation as among the largest child recovery efforts in the nation, asserting, “Many of these children have been harmed in horrendous ways, and we will ensure that their abusers are brought to justice.”

William Berger, United States Marshal for the Middle District of Florida, remarked on the unique focus of their child recovery efforts: “What makes our efforts distinctive is our emphasis on what happens after recovery.” He elaborated that finding a child always comes with a necessity for support, and their collaboration with partners in child welfare is vital.

Berger concluded, “We are proud to work alongside our partners in Florida for the safety and well-being of the children. This initiative responds to the needs of our community, and we are honored to play a leading role in this mission. Welcome home and Happy Holidays!”