A joint federal, state, and county focus on missing children resulted with five arrests and the “safe location and recoveries” of youth between the ages of 13 and 18 last weekend, according to the Hawaii Department of the Attorney General.
During the operation, one adult was arrested for violating a temporary restraining order, three juveniles were picked up on warrants, and one adult was arrested on a traffic warrant, according to the Honolulu Police Department.
“The operation’s primary objectives were to recover endangered missing children and youth reported as “runaways” across Oahu, provide them with essential services and care — and to deter bad actors from victimizing missing children,’ read a statement from state officials.
“The operation resulted in the safe location and recoveries of 10 children and youth between the ages of 13 and 18. Several arrests were made, child victims were identified and investigations are ongoing.”
One in seven of the more than 29,000 cases of children reported missing to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children in 2024 were likely victims of child sex trafficking, according to the NCMEC website.
Of the children reported missing to NCMEC in 2024, who had run from the care of child welfare, 18% were likely victims of child sex trafficking, according to state officials.
“Operation Shine the Light is a multidisciplinary task force model unique to our state where compassion, focus, attention, professionalism and preparedness all come together to bring endangered keiki home safely,” said Missing Child Center-Hawai‘i Coordinator Amanda Leonard, in a statement. “There is no waiting period to report a missing, abducted or runaway child to your local police department.”
Community members can help to combat child abuse/neglect and child trafficking by contacting the state Department of Human Services hotlines available 24 hours a day, seven days a week:
Child abuse and/or neglect
808-832-5300 (Oahu)
Child abuse and/or neglect
Toll-free 1-888-380-3088 (Hawaii island, Maui, Molokai, Lanai, Kauai)
Child trafficking
808-832-1999 (Oahu)
Child trafficking
Toll-free 1-888-398-1188 (Hawaii island, Maui, Molokai, Lanai, Kauai)
Anyone with information regarding missing children or the exploitation of children is encouraged to contact your local police department or the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at 1-800-THE-LOST (1-800-843-5678)
Source: The Garden Island
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