Photo courtesy of Michael Förtsch on Unsplash.
Operation “Home for the Holidays” took place over two weeks and rescued children both in and outside Florida.
–
By Olivia Gehm
TAMPA, Fla. — On Nov. 17, Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced the completion of “Operation Home for the Holidays,” a historic child rescue mission. It spanned two weeks and located or safely recovered 122 missing children.
While based in Florida, the operation expanded into nine other states, with the task force also making two international recoveries, according to a press release from the Office of the Attorney General.
The children ranged from 23 months to 17 years old, and were immediately met with medical and rehabilitation services as soon as they were in the state’s custody.
“Many have been through the unthinkable,” Uthmeier said. “They’ve been trafficked, they’ve been exploited, they’ve been abused. They need our help now more than ever.”
Six adults have been arrested in association with the operation, said Bill Berger, the United States marshal for the Middle District of Florida, during a press conference. Their charges include lewd and lascivious violations, as well as multiple cases of sexual battery. Berger stated that he expects many more arrests to follow.
The operation comprised more than 200 agencies, according to Berger. These included the FBI, four state agencies, four police departments, 11 sheriff’s offices, and 25 nongovernmental organizations.
Of the 122 rescued children in Florida, 29 came from Fort Myers, 22 from Jacksonville, 14 from Orlando, and 57 from Tampa. Eleven additional rescues were made in another state, and two in Guatemala and Mexico.
The operation sought to either match or exceed the success of Operation Dragon Eye, which took place on a smaller scale in Florida in July 2025 and rescued 60 children. At the time, Operation Dragon Eye was the largest single child rescue mission in U.S. Marshals Service history, according to Uthmeier.
Officials also said that numerous children rescued during this operation were recovered from human trafficking, where Florida ranks No. 3 for reported cases in the United States.
As for the aftermath of these rescues, authorities said the first steps consisted of crisis response and immediate medical and mental healthcare. This care was followed by steps toward reunification where appropriate.
“We know these children have significant needs,” said Berger. “Once we find them, it makes sense to build these operations alongside like-minded partners from across the child welfare space.”
One of these partners was the nonprofit organization One More Child that evaluated the needs of children who were brought to intake locations, according to Director of Public Relations Joe McLeod.
McLeod said that One More Child provided children in need with resources, particularly those who had been trafficked. The children were then paired with “survivor leaders,” or women who are survivors of trafficking.
“They’re able to identify with these young, young survivors on a personal level, which gives us credibility and effectiveness,” McLeod said.
McLeod said the entire operational process is collaborative, and each organization brings something to the table to provide rescued children with a better future.
Tracey Kaly, director of operations at BayCare Behavioral Health, said during a press conference that these operations help strengthen bonds between law enforcement, healthcare agencies, and community organizations. This is the third time BayCare has assisted in child recovery missions.
“It is a testament to the good that can be achieved when we unite under a common goal of protecting children and recognizing that each act of care and kindness has the potential to save a life,” Kaly said.
Uthmeier, Florida’s attorney general, said there would be serious repercussions for anyone who came to Florida with the intention of harming a child.
“If you come into Florida and you want to lay a finger on our kids, if you want to prey upon them, if you want to groom them, if you want to abuse them, everybody up here is coming for you with everything we’ve got,” he said in a press conference. “We are going to lock you up for as long as possible.”
He said that for offenders who are eligible for child sexual battery charges, the state will seek the death penalty.