BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — A first-of-its-kind missing child rescue task force in the state just wrapped up its initial operation in Buffalo, partnering with local law enforcement to find over 40 missing children in Erie County.
Leaders of the National Child Protection Task Force told WIVB News 4 that Erie County has the third highest number of active missing children reports statewide, which is why it decided to start this initiative in the Queen City.
“They are a missing endangered child. They’re not a runaway. If we start labeling them properly, maybe then the resources, time, effort and energy goes into helping them properly,” said Kevin Branzetti, CEO of the National Child Protection Task force.
Branzetti and Cindy Neff, the manager of the Missing Persons Clearing House, have teamed up for years on training and helping with missing children investigations.
Nine months ago, they decided to do something bigger, partnering with 22 law enforcement entities from Erie County and beyond to provide investigative support to the Amherst and Buffalo police departments.