SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS — Forty-five missing and endangered children were located or recovered during a multi-agency operation conducted across Texas and Arizona, according to the U.S. Marshals Service.
Operation Lightning Bug II took place from August 10 through August 31 and involved the U.S. Marshals Service’s Lone Star Fugitive Task Force along with federal, state and local law enforcement agencies.
The operation focused on locating at-risk and endangered juveniles, including children identified as victims of commercial sex trafficking and frequent runaways. Investigators also pursued leads involving human trafficking, crimes against children and related offenses.
One of the most significant cases involved an 8-year-old endangered child who authorities said had been abducted by a non-custodial family member.
The child was ultimately safely recovered in Canada.
Authorities also located a 15-year-old girl in San Antonio who had been reported as a runaway and identified as a victim of sex trafficking.
The operation generated additional human-trafficking leads and investigations.
Law enforcement executed nine felony warrants and 11 misdemeanor warrants, made seven arrests on new charges, and developed additional charges that remained under investigation.
Participating agencies included the U.S. Marshals Service, San Antonio Police Department, Bexar County Sheriff’s Office, Naval Criminal Investigative Service, Texas Department of Public Safety, Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, BCFS Health and Human Services and the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children.
Following recovery, children were provided access to resources including medical care, nourishment, social services and child-advocacy support.
The U.S. Marshals Service said critically missing children can face heightened risks involving violent crime, sexual exploitation, substance abuse, exposure to crime or domestic violence.
These cases also highlight why missing-child investigations often require cooperation across city, county, state and even international jurisdictions.
