MIAMI, Florida — Children from Dominica, Jamaica and Puerto Rico were among 163 missing children recovered during a five-day operation in Florida last month.

The children, ranging in age from two months to 17 years, were recovered during Operation Statewide Shield, described as the first statewide child recovery initiative and the largest operation of its kind in Florida history.

In a statement on August 25, Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced the results of the operation, which focused on identifying, locating and safely recovering missing children.

“Many of these kids have been victimised by those who prey on the most vulnerable,” Uthmeier said. “Thanks to the outstanding work of FDLE, the Office of Statewide Prosecution, and our state and local partners, these children are now safe and receiving the care they deserve.”

The operation was led by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE), with state, local and federal agencies and other organisations taking part.

Authorities said the task force located vulnerable youth across the United States and internationally. Recoveries were made in several US states and territories, including Puerto Rico, as well as Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Dominica, Finland, Ghana, Guatemala, Italy, Jamaica, Mexico, Spain and Taiwan.

The Tampa Bay region accounted for 46 recoveries, followed by Miami with 41, Jacksonville with 32, Orlando with 21, Fort Myers with 12, Pensacola with eight and Tallahassee with three.

Many of the recovered children had experienced abuse, neglect, exploitation or exposure to other criminal activity, including human trafficking, according to authorities.

The operation also resulted in multiple arrests.

One defendant was wanted on three counts of lewd and lascivious acts with a minor and had a warrant for interference with child custody.  

Fox News identified him as Michael Prescott.

Prescott already had an active warrant for interference with child custody, according to Uthmeier’s office.

Another was arrested on a charge of lewd and lascivious battery involving a victim aged 12 to 16. He was identified by Fox News as Robert Ferral Allison.

A third arrest involved interference in a child custody case and resisting officers without violence. He was identified as Jayden Allen Harwood.

Authorities said additional arrests were expected.

Recovered children were transported by local law enforcement to designated recovery hubs, where they received assistance from social services, child welfare professionals, medical providers, victim advocates and other child-focused organisations.

The recovery information was documented through the Missing and Endangered Persons Information Clearinghouse to ensure the cases could be closed.

Operation Statewide Shield was led by FDLE with the Office of Statewide Prosecution, Department of Children and Families, Department of Juvenile Justice and other state, local and federal partners.

Multiple investigations connected to the operation remain ongoing.