"This work is transformational, we cannot stop," Tennessee DCS Commissioner Jennifer Nichols said. "And there is nothing more worthwhile."
Planning for the investigation began in fall 2020 and during two week blitzes in East, Middle and West Tennessee, 150 missing children were recovered.
“Many people don’t realize this, but hundreds of children go missing in our state every month,” said TBI Director David Rausch. “From runaways that may leave their home out of desperation or despair, to those entangled in a custody battle, every single one of them deserves a fighting chance, and that’s why they also deserve our best work to help them.”
Authorities say 42 of 72 children identified as missing in Middle Tennessee were recovered. One child is a possible human trafficking victim and the investigation is ongoing.
“We can’t give up. We need the public, the media, and all law enforcement to not give up,” said Denny King, U.S. Marshal for the Middle District of Tennessee. “If you see something, or know something, say something. We cannot give up and stop searching for our most vulnerable and those who cannot help themselves.”
Another 56 children were recovered in East Tennessee, including five in other states, and 82 children were recovered in West Tennessee, three of them in other states.
Most of the children recovered in this operation will receive services through Tennessee DCS.
Authorities say circumstances in these cases varied by each child.
“We are grateful that missing children have been recovered and are now receiving the services and treatment they need to stay safe and healthy,” said DCS Commissioner Jennifer Nichols. “This operation was truly a collaboration and it’s strengthened our relationship with our law enforcement partners. Working together, the agents, marshals, and DCS case managers put in countless hours to track down leads and locate these missing children.”
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