U.S. Marshals close 131 missing children cases in “Operation Not Forgotten”

Baltimore, MD – The U.S. Marshals in the District of Maryland announce the results of “Operation Not Forgotten,” a 60-day operation to locate and recover critically missing children throughout Maryland. The operation resulted in the recovery of 18 previously missing children and the self-return of 11 more children. Also, U.S. Marshals and local agencies located 102 additional children who had previously been reported missing and confirmed their return to the custody of their legal guardians.

Led by U.S. Marshals personnel from the Capital Area Regional Fugitive Task Force and the District of Maryland, the operation included support from the two U.S. Marshals district offices in Washington. Additional law enforcement partners included Maryland State Police, Montgomery County Police Department, Prince George’s County Police Department, Baltimore County Police Department and the Baltimore Police Department. Altogether, more than 30 investigators collaborated with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and the Maryland Department of Human Services – Child Protective Services (Baltimore City and Prince George’s County) to close 131 missing child cases.

“Children are a blessing and are America’s future leaders. We must always protect their innocence and defend them from physical and sexual abuse by predators and unscrupulous individuals,” said U.S. Marshal Johnny L. Hughes of the District of Maryland.

“The U.S. Attorney’s Office is committed to supporting our law enforcement partners in pursuit of justice on behalf of vulnerable members of our society—especially children,” said Acting United States Attorney Jonathan F. Lenzner. “We commend the U.S. Marshals Service and their law enforcement partners for their leadership and tireless work in finding children and bringing them home. Everyone in the community must prioritize child safety and preventing victimization, including through mentoring and other supportive programs to help at-risk children and their families. Our office will always aggressively pursue and prosecute those who prey on young people, and we are pleased to support efforts like this operation.”

The U.S. Marshals are leading the way in a nationwide effort to recover missing and exploited children. Since 2015, the U.S. Marshals have assisted in the recovery of more than 1,800 missing children. Since 2015, the Marshals have contributed to the recovery of a missing child in 75% of cases received and of those, 66% were recovered within seven days of the Marshals providing assistance with the case.

The U.S. Marshals Service’s Capital Area Regional Fugitive Task Force is a multi-agency task force whose mission is to focus resources and efforts on the reduction of violence within the National Capital Region through the identification, investigation and apprehension of fugitives wanted for egregious crimes against the community.