#Dozens of missing kids found in Georgia, including 15 sex trafficking victims

“Operation Not Forgotten,” conducted in Atlanta and Macon this month, resulted in the rescue of 26 children, the safe location of 13 children and the arrest of nine criminal associates, the US Marshals Service said in a Thursday press release.

Fifteen of those children had been trafficked for sex, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported, citing authorities.

Officials say they also cleared 26 arrest warrants and filed additional charges for alleged crimes related to sex trafficking, parental kidnapping, registered sex offender violations, drugs and weapons possession, and custodial interference.

In addition to the US Marshals Service Missing Child Unit, the agency’s Southeast Regional Fugitive Task Force, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) and Georgia state and local agencies were involved in the bust, officials said.

The children were considered among the most at-risk and challenging recovery cases in the area — due to indications of child sex trafficking and other high-risk factors including child exploitation, sexual abuse, physical abuse, and medical or mental health conditions, authorities said.

Operation Not Forgotten resulted in the rescue of 26 children, the safe location of 13 children and the arrest of nine criminal associates.

Shane T. McCoy/US Marshals

Operation Not Forgotten resulted in the rescue of 26 children, the safe location of 13 children and the arrest of nine criminal associates.

Shane T. McCoy/US Marshals

Operation Not Forgotten resulted in the rescue of 26 children, the safe location of 13 children and the arrest of nine criminal associates.

Shane T. McCoy/US Marshals

Operation Not Forgotten resulted in the rescue of 26 children, the safe location of 13 children and the arrest of nine criminal associates.

Shane T. McCoy/US Marshals

Operation Not Forgotten resulted in the rescue of 26 children, the safe location of 13 children and the arrest of nine criminal associates.

Shane T. McCoy/US Marshals

Operation Not Forgotten resulted in the rescue of 26 children, the safe location of 13 children and the arrest of nine criminal associate.

Shane T. McCoy/US Marshals

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“When we track down fugitives, it’s a good feeling to know that we’re putting the bad guy behind bars. But that sense of accomplishment is nothing compared to finding a missing child,” said Darby Kirby, Chief of the Missing Child Unit, said in a statement.

“It’s hard to put into words what we feel when we rescue a missing child, but I can tell you that this operation has impacted every single one of us out here. We are working to protect them and get them the help they need.”