Federal and local officials have rescued 13 children at risk of human trafficking in and around Memphis. The operation, called “Operation Not for Sale,” focused on locating children who may have been sexually abused, coming from broken homes or foster care. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation estimates that between 500 and 600 children go missing every month in Tennessee. Audrey Conklin reported
Federal and local officials collaborated in a two-day mission called “Operation Not for Sale” to rescue 13 missing children in and around Memphis, Tennessee. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) worked with the U.S. Marshals Service, Homeland Security Investigations, Memphis Police Department, and Tennessee Department of Children’s Services to locate children who were at risk of being trafficked.
Dr. John DeGarmo, founder and director of the Foster Care Institute, explained that children at risk of trafficking often come from environments where they have experienced sexual abuse. These children may come from broken homes or foster care and they seek love and acceptance elsewhere. Predators take advantage of their vulnerability and manipulate them with false promises of a better life.
Police identify these at-risk children based on their records of families with histories of domestic violence or sexual abuse. They might also look for unique tattoos, bands, or new and expensive clothing that could indicate involvement in trafficking.
According to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), over 17,200 reports of child sex trafficking were received in 2021, and 25,000 reports of runaway children were received. The NCMEC estimates that one in six runaway children is likely to become a victim of human trafficking.
In the weeks leading up to Operation Not for Sale, intelligence analysts identified children at high risk of trafficking. Six search teams were then dispatched to 56 different locations to find these missing children. The operation resulted in the rescue of 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 success of the operation and the collaborative efforts of the involved agencies. HSI Assistant Special Agent in Charge, Ross “Clint” Cannon, emphasized the importance of unified efforts in locating missing children.
Director of TBI, David Rausch, acknowledged the trauma that trafficking victims endure and stressed the need for multiple disciplines to address this issue. TBI estimates that between 500 and 600 children go missing every month in Tennessee, highlighting the ongoing need for active search and rescue efforts.
Memphis Police Chief, Cerelyn Davis, recognized the harm caused by human traffickers and expressed pride in the department’s involvement in the successful operation.
TBI continues to search for and locate missing children, and anyone with information about suspected human trafficking in Tennessee is urged to contact the Tennessee Human Trafficking Hotline.
In conclusion, the collaborative efforts of federal and local officials in “Operation Not for Sale” resulted in the rescue of 13 missing children who were at risk of human trafficking. This operation highlights the ongoing issue of child sex trafficking and the need for unified efforts to protect vulnerable children from exploitation..