Authorities say 160 missing children and teenagers have been located across New York through a series of coordinated, multi-agency recovery operations.
The effort, led by the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services Missing Persons Clearinghouse and the National Child Protection Task, spans three large-scale operations conducted in Westchester County, Erie County and the Capital Region.
Most recently, 43 children were found during a three-day recovery operation in Westchester County. Earlier efforts in Erie County and the Capital Region located more than 115 missing children combined. State officials said many of the children were considered runaways and were at risk of exploitation, endangerment or harm.
Children at heightened risk
Officials emphasized that children who run away are particularly vulnerable to trafficking and exploitation…