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Local, state and federal law enforcement officials conducted a heroic operation over the past month or so that has resulted in an unfathomable 79 children being recovered in Ohio, after having been reported missing or endangered.
For most of us, it is a shock just to learn that many children were missing or endangered to begin with. There are likely many more, despite this being the largest missing-child operation in Buckeye State history, according to the U.S. Marshals Service.
Operation Meridian was conducted throughout August, according to a report by WJW. Children ages 6 to 17 were recovered from situations including suspected sex trafficking, physical and emotional abuse, neglect, running away and other forms of endangerment, officials said.
At the start of the operation, Amanda Berry, of Cleveland, who had been kidnapped, held captive and escaped in 2013, spoke with the U.S. Marshals team, urging them to treat every missing child as if they were their own.
It appears as though they and all their local and state partners did exactly that.
"Every recovered child represents a life pulled back from danger," U.S. Marshal Pete Elliott said in a news release.
After just one month, there are 79 lives back from the brink because of this operation. The law enforcement officials AND anyone who offered tips or cooperation in these investigations are to be commended, even as the sad truth remains -- there is more work for all of us to do.