In what has been hailed as the most effective missing child recovery mission in the history of the United States Marshals Service (USMS), a massive two-week operation led to the safe recovery or location of 60 critically missing children across three Florida counties. The initiative—Operation Dragon-Eye—mobilized dozens of agencies across Hillsborough, Pinellas, and Pasco Counties, marking a powerful example of what coordinated, community-based law enforcement can accomplish.
An Unprecedented Recovery Effort
Operation Dragon-Eye was launched with the purpose of finding children classified as critically missing—a designation given to minors considered to be at immediate risk of danger due to exposure to violence, trafficking, substance abuse, mental health crises, or unsafe environments. These cases often involve runaways, abductions, or youth who have disappeared under suspicious circumstances.
The operation was coordinated by the USMS in collaboration with:
- The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC)
- The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE)
- Local sheriff’s offices and police departments
- Federal partners including Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the FBI
“This was more than a law enforcement effort. It was a lifesaving mission,” said William Berger, United States Marshal for the Middle District of Florida. “Every child recovered was someone’s son, daughter, sister, or brother. They mattered. They were not just statistics.”
Support Beyond Recovery: Healing and Protection
What made Operation Dragon-Eye especially noteworthy was not just the sheer number of recoveries, but the aftercare model that was integrated into the mission. Each recovered child, aged 9 to 17, underwent a comprehensive health and wellness evaluation, including medical treatment, mental health screenings, and trauma-informed interviews conducted by specialists trained to work with youth in crisis.
“Too often, children are located and simply returned to the environment they fled from,” said Berger. “In this operation, we ensured that every child was evaluated for their needs, connected with services, and placed in safe environments.”
Local nonprofits and social service organizations played a critical role. Case managers, counselors, and child welfare advocates were on-site during the recoveries to facilitate safe placements, coordinate long-term care plans, and engage with families or guardians to ensure reunification would not result in further harm.
Law Enforcement Collaboration and Arrests
Deputy in Charge Mario Price emphasized that Operation Dragon-Eye was a multifaceted operation, with three distinct goals:
- Locate and recover critically missing children
- Deliver immediate and long-term support services
- Identify and arrest individuals posing a threat to children’s safety
A total of eight arrests were made during the mission, including individuals charged with child endangerment, harboring minors, unlawful custody, and contributing to the delinquency of a minor. Some were found harboring multiple minors at once, raising urgent concerns about exploitation and abuse.
“These were not misunderstandings or runaway scenarios that resolved easily,” Price said. “These were adults who knew the children were underage and chose to harbor them anyway. That is predatory behavior, and we will not tolerate it.”
Local Agencies Take a Leading Role
The St. Petersburg Police Department reported 11 recoveries and two arrests within city limits alone. “This was a hard-won success, and it reflects the tireless work of officers, community members, and support staff,” said Chief Anthony Holloway.
Tampa Police Chief Lee Bercow echoed that sentiment, stating:
“These results reflect our collective commitment to protecting the most vulnerable members of our community. Without interagency trust and shared resources, none of this would be possible.”
Agencies from Pasco County also contributed significantly, with numerous recoveries made in both urban and rural zones. Some children had been missing for weeks or even months, and in several cases, tips from community members led directly to successful outcomes.
A Human Story Behind Every Name
Among the children recovered was a 14-year-old girl who had been missing for over six months and was believed to be in danger of being trafficked. Another child, age 12, had run away from foster care and was found living in unsafe conditions. Many of the youth expressed reluctance or fear upon initial contact but were later grateful for the intervention.
One social worker who assisted in the operation noted:
“These are kids who have seen more trauma in their short lives than most adults ever will. They’re not just ‘runaways’—they’re survivors. What they need is protection, stability, and love.”
The Bigger Picture: A National Epidemic
According to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, over 340,000 children were reported missing in the U.S. last year. While many are found quickly, a significant portion fall into high-risk categories, vulnerable to trafficking, substance abuse, and criminal exploitation.
Operations like Dragon-Eye underscore the critical need for proactive, long-term solutions:
- More investment in youth outreach programs
- Expanded funding for foster care and trauma counseling
- Enhanced training for law enforcement on child exploitation
- Streamlined national databases to track missing minors more efficiently
Moving Forward: A Model for Future Operations
The USMS and its partners plan to use Operation Dragon-Eye as a template for future child recovery missions across the country. Lessons learned from the initiative will be integrated into training materials and operational planning for other high-risk jurisdictions.
“This is just the beginning,” Berger said. “We are committed to making sure every child—no matter where they come from—is protected, heard, and given a future worth fighting for.”
Conclusion: Justice, Hope, and the Road Ahead
Operation Dragon-Eye is a powerful reminder that behind every missing child’s case is a life at stake—a child hoping to be found. This historic mission not only demonstrated what’s possible when agencies unite with a shared purpose, but it also highlighted the responsibility we all share to protect the most vulnerable among us.
The story doesn’t end with a recovery. The real victory lies in what comes next: healing, hope, and the chance to thrive.
