Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced the results of a statewide rescue operation titled “Operation Home for the Holidays,” which located or safely recovered 122 children, making it one of the largest child-recovery operations in American history.
The historic U.S. Marshals Service-led recovery initiative has expanded across Tampa Bay, Orlando, Jacksonville, Fort Myers, and into nine other states, resulting in six felony arrests, with additional charges expected as investigations continue.
The operation spanned over a two-week period and was charged with proactively locating vulnerable youth throughout Central Florida, including 57 children in the Tampa Bay region, 14 in Orlando, 22 in Jacksonville, and 29 in Fort Myers.
The children ranged in age from 23 months to 17 years old, and many had experienced various levels of abuse, neglect, exploitation, or exposure to other criminal activity.
AG Uthmeier said of the operation, “Thanks to one of the single largest child-rescue operations in U.S. history, 122 missing children are safe.”
“This operation highlights the strength and diligence of Florida’s Law Enforcement. I am deeply grateful for everyone that made Operation Home for the Holidays a massive success. Many of these kids have been victimized in unspeakable ways. We will prosecute their abusers to the fullest extent of the law.”
Florida Department of Juvenile Justice Secretary Matthew J. Walsh added, “Under the leadership of Governor Ron DeSantis, DJJ is proud to support the recovery of critically missing and endangered youth through Operation Home for the Holidays.”
Following the announcement, Uthmeier added, “By now you should know, if you come into Florida, and you want to lay a finger on our kids, if you want to prey upon them, if you want to groom them, if you want to abuse them, everybody up here is coming for you with everything we’ve got.”
“We’re going to lock you up for as long as possible. And where eligible for child-sex battery, we will seek the death penalty.”
“So, child predators, stay out of Florida. You are not welcome here. If you come here, we will hold you accountable to the fullest extent of the law.
Watch:
By now, child predators should know that they are not welcome in Florida. pic.twitter.com/tqFxndsb5R
— Attorney General James Uthmeier (@AGJamesUthmeier) November 17, 2025
Uthmeier’s Office of Statewide Prosecution is taking on multiple felony cases generated by the operation, including crimes involving sexual battery on a child and custodial interference.
The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office (JSO), under the leadership of T.K. Waters, shared details of the recoveries in Duval County where almost two dozen missing children were rescued.
Watch:
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22 children. That’s how many missing children our team located earlier this month during Operation Home for the Holidays, led by the US Marshals. We worked alongside the Marshals, FBI, and… pic.twitter.com/6aiwwiWkZx— Jax Sheriff’s Office (@JSOPIO) November 17, 2025
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