34 Missing Children Rescued in Long Island and NYC During Law Enforcement Operation

Thirty-four missing children across Queens and Long Island were rescued in a law enforcement investigation conducted over 72 hours, officials announced on Friday. The operation, named the "Long Island Children Rescue Operation," concluded a series of disappearances that had lasted from a few days to 10 years, connecting the victims, aged 7 to 18, with support services. While most of the children were reported as runaways, some had experienced exploitation and human trafficking. New York State police superintendent Steven James stated that a total of 10,629 children under 18 were reported missing to police across New York State in 2025, with 94% classified as runaways. In that year, police closed 10,672 cases involving missing children, leaving 1,079 active cases statewide by the end of 2025. The investigation, which took place from Tuesday through Thursday, operated out of a command center in Garden City, Nassau County. The rescued children included 18 from Nassau County, 12 from Suffolk County, and four from Queens, while another 31 local cases remain open, according to the governor’s office. This operation marks the fourth child rescue effort of its kind in New York, following previous operations in Erie County, the Capital Region, and Westchester, which collectively located 168 missing children and teens. Nearly 100 professionals from 40 agencies and organizations collaborated to locate the children and connect them with necessary care and support, including medical attention and daily essentials. Kevin Branzetti, chief executive officer of the National Child Protection Task Force, emphasized the importance of understanding the circumstances surrounding the children's disappearances and providing appropriate assistance. In February, a similar child rescue effort in Westchester County recovered 43 missing and runaway children, involving 70 federal, state, and local agencies. This operation was conducted from a hotel in Mount Kisco and was the third large-scale statewide child rescue effort. The operation focused on communities with high rates of missing children, including Dobbs Ferry, Mount Pleasant, Mount Vernon, White Plains, and Yonkers. Tim Williams, program manager at the Missing Person’s Clearinghouse, noted the importance of coordinated efforts among various agencies during such operations. The governor’s press office did not immediately respond to requests for comment.