Event Brief
Aug 31, 2026 at 12:00 PM ET
Operation Statewide Shield recovers 163 children
By The BriefBrief
Florida officials announced a five-day, multi-agency dragnet that recovered 163 missing children across Florida and internationally. Tampa led with 46 recoveries, followed by Miami (41), Jacksonville (32), Orlando (21), and other cities. The sweep used real-time intelligence and field teams, with leads tracked into multiple states and countries.
WHO: Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier; FDLE; Office of Statewide Prosecution; local, state, and federal law enforcement; private and non-profit partners
WHAT: Operation Statewide Shield recovered 163 missing children in a coordinated statewide and cross-border sweep.
WHEN: Reported Aug 31, 2026 at 11:39 AM ET
WHERE: Tampa, Florida
WHY: The operation was triggered by the need to locate and recover missing children and identify those who prey on vulnerable youth.
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