43 Missing Children Rescued From Trafficking in Westchester County

Operation led by coalition of law enforcement and nonprofits recovers dozens of youth

Mar. 13, 2026 at 2:06am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Authorities in New York's Westchester County have successfully located and rescued 43 missing children and teens, ranging in age from 8 to 17, who had been victims of trafficking. The operation was a collaborative effort between law enforcement agencies, NGOs, and nonprofits to address the pressing issue of child exploitation in the state's port cities.

Why it matters

Child trafficking is a major problem across the United States, with over 350,000 children reported missing each year. Large port cities like New York often serve as hubs for this criminal activity, making successful rescue operations like this one critical to protecting vulnerable youth.

The details

The rescue operation was led by the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services, in partnership with the New York State Office of Children and Family Services, National Child Protection Task Force, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, the United States Marshal Service, 914Cares, and other organizations. The 43 children and teens rescued had been missing for months before being located and connected with necessary support services.

  • In 2025, more than 10,000 children under the age of 18 were reported missing across New York state.
  • Over 350,000 children go missing every year in America.

The players

Rossana Rosado

Commissioner of the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services.

National Child Protection Task Force

A coalition of law enforcement and nonprofit organizations focused on combating child exploitation and trafficking.

National Center for Missing and Exploited Children

A nonprofit organization that works with law enforcement to help find missing children and support victims of child exploitation.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Every missing child case represents a young person who deserves to be safe, supported and seen... This operation brought together an extraordinary group of law enforcement, nonprofit and private partners to share information, pursue new leads and connect children with the services they need.”

— Rossana Rosado, Commissioner of New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services

What’s next

Authorities will continue to work with nonprofit partners to provide support services and resources to the rescued children and teens, as well as pursue any remaining active missing persons cases in the state.

The takeaway

This successful rescue operation highlights the critical importance of collaboration between law enforcement, government agencies, and nonprofit organizations in combating the growing crisis of child trafficking, especially in major port cities where vulnerable youth are at high risk of exploitation.