Advertisement Officials clear more than 120 missing children cases after human trafficking sweep Share Shares Copy Link Copy

NOTE: This article was originally reported on and published in October 2018After investigating more than 300 missing children cases, officials have more information regarding the sweep and what has happened since finding 123 of those reported missing. At least 301 missing children cases were given another look recently, encompassed in an overall human trafficking operation to identify potential victims, but a small percentage of the children found were actually suspected of having been victims of trafficking. In their efforts, the teams began investigating cases and looking through files of children reported missing. Participating officers then started visiting locations where the children were reportedly last seen. They also spoke with friends and schools to question about the children who were being sought out.The initial number of 123 kids that were recovered included at least 16 from a previous sweep. The search overall was to find the missing children, but its emphasis was on identifying victims of trafficking abuse. All of the children who were recovered were interviewed by authorities. Investigators said at least three of the children showed signs that they were victims of sex trafficking or sexually victimized. Officials are still working to determine if three of the children were victims of sexual abuse. According to the Detroit News, all of the children found were under the age of 17. Only four of the children found were still actually missing. The others were merely still listed as missing in police computers because a guardian never confirmed they were relocated after reporting them gone. At least 107 kids were placed back with parents or guardians. The process revolving around returning the children to a safe environment is kept private, however. Michigan Department of Health and Human Services spokesman Bob Wheaton told The Detroit News he isn’t allowed to divulge any information about the children. The search was conducted with the support of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children as well as the Michigan State Police Department. Overall, the sweep took place over the course of one day totaling eight hours. Michigan State Police Lt. Michael Shaw said they are continuing to look for the 200 children still listed as missing."We get more than 1,000 runaway complaints per month," he said. "Most of those who are still missing are runaways. The investigators will continue looking for them."