Federal agents have located a 15-year-old girl in South Apopka after she had been missing for nearly 17 months, according to WESH and ClickOrlando.com, citing the U.S. Marshals Service. Officials confirmed the teen is a verified victim of human trafficking, the outlets reported.
Newsweek has reached out to the U.S. Marshals Service of the Middle District of Florida for comment.
On Thursday, members of the U.S. Marshals Service and the Florida Caribbean Regional Fugitive Task Force found the teenager, who was first reported missing in April 2024, WESH reported.
Why It Matters
The Florida Department of Children and Families had previously raised concerns about the girl’s safety. She also has a history of involvement with the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice, according to WESH.
What To Know
The girl has not been identified by name.
Investigators tracked down a possible residence for her in an Orlando suburb, which led to her safe recovery this week, ClickOrlando.com reported.
She was originally reported missing to the Cocoa Police Department, according to the outlet.
“Records further disclosed the child had a pending arrest warrant,” the Marshals Service said in a press release obtained by ClickOrlando.com.
In June, Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier and U.S. Marshal for the Central District of Florida William Berger announced the results of Operation Dragon Eye. That effort led to the rescue of 60 missing children and the arrest of eight people, including one accused of human trafficking. The operation focused on the Tampa Bay area and involved 20 agencies. Two additional human trafficking cases are still under investigation.
Berger said in a statement that the operation was unique because “underaged critically missing children ranging from age 9 to 17 were not only recovered but were debriefed and provided with physical and psychological care. This operation further included follow-up assistance in hopes that these youth will not return back to the streets to be further victimized.”
What People Are Saying
U.S. Marshal William Berger of the Middle District of Florida praised the team’s work, saying in a statement to ClickOrlando.com: “The United States Marshals Service is resilient in its commitment to our youth, to our communities, and to our partners. The diligent work of all involved in this investigation has created another chance for this young lady.”
Florida Department of Law Enforcement Commissioner Mark Glass also commented on Operation Dragon Eye: “60 kids saved. That number sends the message that Florida will never be a safe place for traffickers.”
What Happens Next
According to ClickOrlando.com, the teenager has been placed in the custody of the Department of Juvenile Justice to address a criminal matter.
