43 Missing Westchester Kids Found in 3-Day Operation

Massive interagency effort located runaways and missing children across 5 communities

Published on Feb. 17, 2026

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In a three-day operation, authorities tracked down 43 missing and runaway children from Westchester County, New York. The effort was spearheaded by the state Division of Criminal Justice Services and involved over 70 federal, state, and local agencies working out of a hotel in Mount Kisco.

Why it matters

The operation highlights the growing issue of missing and exploited children, with over 10,000 reported missing in New York state last year alone. Interagency cooperation is crucial to quickly locating vulnerable youth and connecting them with necessary services.

The details

The widespread search targeted five Westchester communities - Dobbs Ferry, Mount Pleasant, Mount Vernon, White Plains, and Yonkers - that have seen high numbers of missing child cases. Experts in law enforcement, child services, and digital technology worked together at the Hotel MTK to coordinate the effort, which led to 43 children being found and either returned home or placed in safe environments.

  • The operation took place over three days last week.
  • In 2025, 10,629 children under 18 were reported missing in New York state.

The players

New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services

The state agency that spearheaded the missing children operation.

Tim Williams

Program manager at the Division's Missing Person's Clearinghouse, who oversaw the operation.

Steven James

New York State Police Superintendent, who emphasized the importance of interagency cooperation in these cases.

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What they’re saying

“Everyone is in the room focused on one task, and when something is needed, it's a conversation across the table instead of a phone call. So the success of this operation is having everyone in that room and ready to go.”

— Tim Williams, Program Manager, Missing Person's Clearinghouse (The New York Post)

“Although investigations of missing and exploited children are difficult, acts that threaten the well-being of children are unconscionable. Interagency operations such as this are crucial, and we will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to safeguard the children of New York.”

— Steven James, New York State Police Superintendent (The New York Post)

What’s next

Officials say they will continue conducting similar multi-agency operations to locate missing children across New York state.

The takeaway

This coordinated effort demonstrates the power of collaboration between law enforcement, child services, and technology experts to quickly find and assist vulnerable missing youth. However, the high number of reported missing children in New York underscores the ongoing need for proactive measures to protect young people from exploitation and harm.