Dozens of missing children were rescued, and seven people were arrested after a multi-day human trafficking operation across Southern California and nearby states, authorities announced this week.
Officials said the sweep, called Operation Safe Return, ran from March 2 to March 6 and focused on critically missing children at high risk of abuse and exploitation.
Investigators reviewed more than 50 missing child cases involving teens between 14 and 17 years old before launching coordinated recovery efforts. By the end of the operation, at least 37 missing minors had been found, while 13 cases remain open…