A three-day rescue operation has safely found 43 children and teenagers reported missing in New York’s Westchester County.
The New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) announced Friday that the operation—a collaboration between the agency’s Missing Persons Clearinghouse, the state Office of Children and Family Services, and the National Child Protection Task Force—resulted in the recovery of children and teens ranging in age from 8 to 17 years old.
The operation was a combined effort from 70 organizations, including local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies, as well as victim service groups and private‑sector partners.
“Every missing child case represents a young person who deserves to be safe, supported, and seen,” DCJS Commissioner Rossana Rosado said. “This operation brought together an extraordinary group of law enforcement, nonprofit, and private partners to share information, pursue new leads, and connect children with the services they need.”
The operation focused on reviewing investigative files, chasing new leads, and using digital tools and databases to locate children identified as being at risk of exploitation or harm, officials said.
The Office of Children and Family Services worked with regional nonprofits and victim assistance groups to coordinate aid for young people who were found during the rescue. The agency’s stated goal was to provide immediate support and help prevent future incidents of children going missing.
Dr. DaMia Harris‑Madden, commissioner of the Office of Children and Family Services, called the operation “an intense and purposeful reminder of what true collaboration looks like.”
“Each action of the professionals involved appeared to be driven by the shared urgency to save and protect children from harm,” Harris‑Madden said.
This marked the third such operation coordinated by the state’s Missing Persons Clearinghouse with the National Child Protection Task Force. Earlier missions recovered 47 children in Erie County and 71 others in the Capital Region.
Officials said that these operations aren’t just about statistics.
“Many people don’t realize that children who run away are among the most vulnerable to trafficking and exploitation,” Kevin Branzetti, co‑founder and CEO of the National Child Protection Task Force, said. “These outcomes reflect what's possible when law enforcement, child‑protection professionals, and technology partners work side by side ... These aren't statistics—they are OUR children.”
According to the state agency, 10,629 children under 18 were reported missing to police across New York State in 2025, with 94 percent classified as runaways. Police resolved 10,672 cases last year—some dating back to previous years—but 1,079 cases remained active statewide at the end of 2025.
Law enforcement leaders across Westchester credited the collaborative model for bringing a new level of coordination to missing‑child investigations.
“As chief law enforcement officer in Westchester County, the plight of missing and exploited children has always been a top priority for me,” District Attorney Susan Cacace said. “Efforts like this week's operation help bring theoretical leads into the realm of the practical ... We are able to work together to more effectively protect children from harm and reunite them with their families.”
Yonkers Police Commissioner Christopher Sapienza said the operation “proved the power of concentrated, coordinated law enforcement efforts,” while City of Mount Vernon Police Chief Marcel Olifiers called it proof “of the real impact of agencies working together.”
Town of Mt. Pleasant Police Chief Paul Oliva added that he was “proud of the work that the team is doing to conduct such organized and focused work to find these at‑risk youth.”
Community groups also joined the effort. Lisa Horten, CEO of 914Cares, said her organization was “honored to play a small role” by supplying basic essentials for the children located during the operation.
“This work,” Horten said, “truly showcases the power of collaboration at its best.”