A weeklong law enforcement sweep across Southern California and neighboring states led to the rescue of 37 missing children, some of whom were victims of sex trafficking and sexual assault, the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office announced.
According to the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office, the operation — dubbed Operation Safe Return — was led by the department’s Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force (RCAHT) in partnership with the United States Marshals Service and a broad coalition of federal, state, and local agencies. Investigators focused on children between the ages of 14 and 17 who had been missing anywhere from one to 24 months.
During the operation, more than 50 children were identified as missing. Investigators conducted extensive searches to pinpoint each child’s location, deploying multi-disciplinary teams made up of law enforcement officers and social services workers. Recoveries were made in Riverside County, San Bernardino County, Orange County, and Los Angeles County, as well as in northern California, Arizona, and Nevada.
Of the 37 children safely recovered, some were identified as victims of serious crimes, including child sex trafficking and sexual assault. Each child received victim advocacy services, medical support when needed, and access to follow-up resources before being reunited with a legal guardian.
The operation resulted in seven arrests. One of those arrests was a federal charge for child sex trafficking, carried out by Homeland Security Investigations.
As reported by FOX LA, the coordinated effort underscores the scale of the problem in the region. The sheriff’s office noted that Riverside County, which spans roughly 7,303 square miles and is home to more than 2.5 million people, sees between 5,000 and 6,000 children run away or go missing every year. The vast majority return home shortly after leaving, but for those who do not, the risks are severe.
“Through the coordinated efforts of the Riverside County Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force, the United States Marshals Service, and numerous allied agencies, dozens of children were safely recovered and connected with critical support services,” officials said in a news release. “RCAHT remains committed to aggressively pursuing those who exploit children while working with our partners to ensure victims receive the care and protection they deserve.”
Anyone who believes they are a victim of human trafficking in Riverside County can contact the RCAHT directly at ht@riversidesheriff.org or visit the Riverside County Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force website for resources and support. The federal arrest is expected to move forward through the federal court system, and investigators have not ruled out additional charges stemming from the operation.
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