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Operation Safe Return Recovers 37 Missing Teens Across California, Arizona and Nevada, 7 Arrested

Cross-jurisdiction teamwork enabled the recoveries, investigators say.

Overview

  • Authorities identified about 50 missing minors and located 37 teens ages 14 to 17 during a weeklong sweep tied to Riverside County.
  • Teens were found in Riverside County and surrounding areas as well as Northern California, Arizona and Nevada, with each case connected to Riverside County.
  • Officials say some of those recovered were victims of child sex trafficking and sexual assault, and all received advocacy and medical services before reunification with legal guardians.
  • Seven suspects were arrested during the operation, including one taken into custody by Homeland Security Investigations on alleged child sex trafficking charges, and authorities withheld the suspects’ names.
  • The effort involved the Riverside County Anti-Human-Trafficking Task Force, U.S. Marshals, FBI, HSI, the Secret Service and multiple California agencies, with the public urged to share tips such as license plates and photos.