Nearly 40 missing children authorities believe were all already or potential victims of sex trafficking were rescued during a mission named “Operation Not Forgotten.” Both state and federal agents took part in tracing the victims down in the operation which spanned across 20 countries in Atlanta.
WSBTV reported the statement given by U.S. Marshals Service Director Donald Washington who said, “These missing children were considered to be some of the most at-risk and challenging recovery cases in the area, based on indications of high-risk factors such as victimization of child sex trafficking, child exploitation, sexual abuse, physical abuse, and medical or mental health conditions. Other children were located at the request of law enforcement to ensure their wellbeing.”
Medical and social workers are helping the children overcome the trauma and the traffickers are arrested and placed behind bars.
Georgia Governor Brian Kemp praised everyone involved in the operation posting on Twitter.
.@GAFirstLady and I applaud the work of law enforcement in “Operation Not Forgotten.” We’ll continue to work around the clock to bring an end to human trafficking and ensure the perpetrators of this evil industry know they have no place in our state. https://t.co/z0pSopVRww
— Governor Brian P. Kemp (@GovKemp) August 27, 2020
Currently, similar operations in other countries are ongoing and everyone hopes for the same outcome as in “Operation Not Forgotten.”
Washington says, “One missing child is worth thousands, in my mind, of fugitives that we go out and get.”
We are glad and relieved all these children are now safe and we hope U.S. Marshals Fugitive Hunters and the rest of the agencies would do all in their power to help other sex trafficking victims in the future as they did this time.