Child trafficking is one of the darkest crimes plaguing America today.
Florida just sent a message that's echoing across the entire nation.
And Florida’s Attorney General just delivered one shocking message to child predators.
Florida leads historic rescue mission that dwarfs previous operations
Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier stood before cameras Monday and announced what he called "one of the single largest child-rescue operations in U.S. history."
Operation Home for the Holidays successfully recovered or located 122 missing children across Florida and nine other states during a two-week mission led by the U.S. Marshals Service.¹
The rescued children ranged in age from just 23 months to 17 years old.
Many had experienced horrific abuse, neglect, exploitation, or exposure to other criminal activity.
The operation exceeded the scale of Operation Dragon Eye, which in July 2025 recovered 60 critically missing children and was described at the time as "the most successful missing child recovery effort in the history of the United States Marshals Service."²
Operation Home for the Holidays nearly doubled that success.
The two-week operation targeted vulnerable youth across Tampa Bay (57 children), Orlando (14 children), Jacksonville (22 children), and Fort Myers (29 children).
An additional 13 children were recovered in nine other states, and two were found as far away as Mexico and Guatemala.³
U.S. Marshal William Berger for the Middle District of Florida said the operation represented the largest combination of partners in the history of child-recovery operations.
"This operation was built based upon the wants and needs of our communities," Berger stated. "We are honored to play a leading role in answering those calls."⁴
Florida's top law enforcement official draws a line in the sand
Attorney General Uthmeier didn't mince words when discussing what awaits those who prey on Florida's children.
"By now you should know if you come into Florida and you lay a finger on our kids, if you want to prey upon them, if you want to groom them to abuse them, everybody up here is coming for you with everything we've got," Uthmeier vowed during the press conference.⁵
https://twitter.com/AGJamesUthmeier/status/1990472722426540244?s=20
"We're going to lock you up for as long as possible and where eligible for child sex battery, we will indeed seek the death penalty. Child predators – stay out of Florida. You are not welcome here."⁶
The operation already resulted in six felony arrests, with charges ranging from lewd and lascivious conduct to multiple sexual batteries, child neglect, custodial interference, narcotics possession, and terroristic threats.⁷
Bond amounts for arrested suspects ranged from no bond to $250 million.
Additional arrests are expected as investigations continue.
Uthmeier's Office of Statewide Prosecution will pursue multiple felony cases generated by the operation, including charges involving sexual battery on a child and custodial interference.
"Many of these kids have been through the unthinkable," Uthmeier explained. "They've been trafficked. They've been exploited. They've been abused. They need our help now more than ever."⁸
FBI Director Kash Patel praised the Trump Administration's approach to these operations.
"Under President Trump's leadership, our federal, state, and local partners are moving faster, sharing intelligence better, and hunting down the predators who think they can hide in our communities," Patel told Fox News Digital.⁹
https://twitter.com/AGJamesUthmeier/status/1990428626206998788?s=20
Florida Department of Law Enforcement Deputy Commissioner Vaden Pollard emphasized the unprecedented coordination behind the operation's success.
"By gathering critical intelligence, pursuing every lead, and working together… we achieved a unified mission and delivered meaningful results—122 children and youth are now safe," Pollard stated.¹⁰
Operation Home for the Holidays wasn't just about rescuing children – it was about providing immediate support.
The operation incorporated victim advocates and child welfare specialists who worked alongside law enforcement to provide immediate medical evaluations, psychological support, and long-term care planning for every rescued child.
Kim Figueroa from More Too Life explained the critical nature of immediate intervention.
"When these children were located, they were often found in horrific conditions, traumatized and unsure of who is safe," Figueroa said. "Integrated victim services and NGO partnerships make a vital difference in stabilizing a child in the first critical hours after recovery."¹¹
Florida's approach stands in stark contrast to the soft-on-crime policies Democrats have pushed in other states.
https://twitter.com/AGJamesUthmeier/status/1989134458952274321?s=20
Under Governor Ron DeSantis and now Attorney General Uthmeier – DeSantis's former Chief of Staff who was sworn in as Attorney General in February 2025 – Florida has established itself as the most hostile environment in America for those who prey on children.
DeSantis allocated $4.9 million to expand emergency shelter beds and staff support for trafficking victims, alongside $900,000 in grant funding for the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.
The message from Florida's leadership is crystal clear: prey on children, and Florida will make you regret ever crossing the state line.
¹ Attorney General James Uthmeier, "Operation Home for the Holidays Press Conference," Florida Attorney General's Office, November 17, 2025.
² William Berger, U.S. Marshal Middle District of Florida, "Operation Dragon Eye Press Conference," U.S. Marshals Service, June 23, 2025.
³ "122 Missing Florida Children Found in Two-Week Operation," Bay News 9, November 17, 2025.
⁴ Ibid.
⁵ "Missing Florida Kids Among 122 Rescued During Operation Home for the Holidays," FOX 13 Tampa Bay, November 17, 2025.
⁶ Ibid.
⁷ "Operation Home for the Holidays Rescues 122 Missing Children," WFTV, November 17, 2025.
⁸ "'Operation Home for the Holidays' Recovers 122 Children Across Florida," Florida News, November 17, 2025.
⁹ "Florida Authorities Rescue 122 Missing Children in Historic Operation," Fox News, November 17, 2025.
¹⁰ "Florida AG Uthmeier: 122 Missing Children Rescued In Historic Statewide Sweep," Tampa Free Press, November 17, 2025.
¹¹ "'Operation Home for the Holidays' Recovers 122 Children Across Florida," Florida News, November 17, 2025.
