Dozens of Missing Children Found in Anti-Trafficking Operation

Operation Safe Return recovered 37 children in Riverside County, some victims of sex trafficking and assault.

Mar. 12, 2026 at 2:18am

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In a weeklong law enforcement operation in Riverside County, 37 missing children between the ages of 14 and 17 were found, some of whom were victims of crimes including child sex trafficking and sexual assault. The operation, which involved multiple agencies, focused on locating the most at-risk missing children and resulted in seven arrests, including one significant federal arrest connected to child sex trafficking.

Why it matters

Child trafficking and exploitation are serious issues that have devastating impacts on vulnerable youth. This operation highlights the collaborative efforts of law enforcement and community organizations to recover missing children and provide them with critical support services.

The details

The Riverside County Sheriff's Department, California Attorney General's office, various police agencies, federal law enforcement, and victim advocacy groups worked together to find the missing children, provide them with victim services, medical support, and reunite them with legal guardians. Over 50 children were initially identified as missing, and the 37 found were located in several counties in California, as well as in Arizona and Nevada.

  • The operation took place over the course of one week.
  • The missing children had been missing for between one month and two years.

The players

Riverside County Sheriff's Department

The lead law enforcement agency that coordinated the anti-trafficking operation.

California Attorney General Rob Bonta

The state's top law enforcement official whose office participated in the operation.

U.S. Marshals Service

A federal law enforcement agency that was involved in the operation and made a significant arrest related to child sex trafficking.

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The takeaway

This operation demonstrates the importance of collaborative efforts between law enforcement, government agencies, and community organizations to address the serious issue of child trafficking and exploitation. The recovery of these missing children and the provision of support services are crucial steps in protecting vulnerable youth and holding perpetrators accountable.