Federal and Local Officials Rescue 13 Missing Children at Risk of Human Trafficking in Memphis

Police – Accident – Death – Obituary News : Federal and local officials in Memphis have successfully rescued 13 missing children who were determined to be at risk of human trafficking. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI), along with the U.S. Marshals Service, Homeland Security Investigations, Memphis Police Department, and Tennessee Department of Children’s Services, collaborated on a two-day mission called “Operation Not for Sale” to locate and rescue these vulnerable children.

Dr. John DeGarmo, founder and director of the Foster Care Institute, explained that children at risk of trafficking may come from an environment where they have already experienced sexual abuse. For these children, seeking love and affection outside of their current lives is common. Unfortunately, predators often take advantage of their vulnerability and manipulate them with false promises of a better life.

Law enforcement officials identify at-risk children based on records of families with histories of domestic violence or sexual abuse. Additionally, unique tattoos or bands, as well as new and expensive clothing, may raise suspicion. The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) received over 17,200 reports of child sex trafficking in 2021, with one in six runaway children likely to become victims of trafficking.

“It’s America’s ugly secret,” said Dr. DeGarmo, shedding light on the prevalence of this issue.

Before Operation Not for Sale, intelligence analysts identified children who were at high risk of trafficking. From November 2 to 3, six search teams were deployed to 56 different locations to locate these missing children. As a result, authorities found 12 juvenile victims aged 11 to 17, as well as a 2-month-old infant.

U.S. Marshal for the Western District of Tennessee, Tyreece Miller, expressed gratitude for the successful operation, emphasizing the importance of finding missing, endangered, or abducted children. HSI Assistant Special Agent in Charge, Ross “Clint” Cannon, highlighted the need for a unified effort to locate and rescue missing children in Western Tennessee.

The TBI estimates that between 500 and 600 children go missing every month in Tennessee. TBI Director David Rausch stressed the necessity of multiple disciplines when dealing with human trafficking due to the immense trauma suffered by the victims. He expressed excitement about the outcomes of Operation Not for Sale and looked forward to future operations with their partners.

Memphis Police Chief Cerelyn Davis acknowledged the harm inflicted by human traffickers on vulnerable members of society. She expressed pride in the Memphis Police Department’s participation in the successful operation and thanked all the agencies involved in safeguarding at-risk children.

The TBI continues its active efforts to search for and locate other missing children. If anyone has information about suspected human trafficking in Tennessee, authorities urge them to contact the Tennessee Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-855-55-TNHTH.

In conclusion, the joint efforts of federal and local officials in Memphis have resulted in the rescue of 13 children at risk of human trafficking. The success of Operation Not for Sale serves as a reminder of the ongoing need to combat this issue and protect vulnerable children..