31 Missing Children Found In Arizona After Monthlong Federal Operation

ARIZONA — A federal operation across Arizona has recovered 31 critically missing children over the past month.

The U.S. Marshals Service said the rescued youth include teenagers believed to be victims of sex trafficking and an 11-year-old girl with mental health concerns.

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"Operation Desert Dawn" ran from April 13 to May 1, according to reports. Of the 31 children found, 20 were safely located and the whereabouts of 11 others were confirmed.

All were considered critically missing before the operation began, officials said.

Among those found were a 17-year-old who had been missing from Phoenix for 18 months, a 17-year-old girl believed to be a sex trafficking victim in Phoenix, and a 16-year-old girl believed to be a sex trafficking victim in Glendale.

Marshals also located a 16-year-old dealing with substance abuse and homelessness, a 14-year-old from Phoenix who turned up in Tucson, and the 11-year-old girl.

"This operation was about protecting children who were in vulnerable and dangerous situations," said U.S. Marshal Van Bayless. "Each child we located represents a young life removed from the risk of exploitation, abuse, or worse."

The Marshals Service did not identify the children, name which partner agencies assisted in the operation, or detail where all of the children were found.

Anyone with information about a missing or endangered child can contact the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at 1-800-THE-LOST.