(Photo by Mark Makela/Getty Images) PHILADELPHIA - Federal authorities in Philadelphia have recovered over a dozen critically missing children, including some with direct ties to child sex trafficking operations, officials announced Thursday.
A months-long investigation called "Operation Safeguard" saw U.S. Marshal collaborate with the Philadelphia Department of Human Services and the Bucks County Children Youth Services to identify and recover 26 exploited children.
These missing children are considered to be some of the most at-risk and challenging recovery cases locally, based on high-risk factors such as victimization of child sex trafficking, child exploitation, sexual abuse, physical abuse, and medical or mental health conditions.The.