Operation Safe Return Reunites 37 Missing Teens with Families, Alongside Joyful Recovery of Karen Rojas After Six Years

Thanks to teamwork, persistence, and compassion, dozens of missing children have been safely located and reunited with loved ones—proving that dedicated efforts truly make a difference.

Operation Safe Return: 37 Teens Safely Brought Home

In Riverside County, more than 50 children were identified, and an operation was launched to rescue them. From March 2 to 6, 2026, the Riverside County Sheriff’s Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force (RCAHT) partnered with the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) Central District of California and dozens of federal, state, local, and community partners. The focus: critically missing teens aged 14 to 17 identified through the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) database. Through extensive investigations and coordinated responses, 37 were safely recovered or located—with some found in San Bernardino, Orange, and Los Angeles Counties, as well as Northern California, Arizona, and Nevada. This statewide and interstate reach shows how these protective operations benefit communities everywhere, including right here in Northern California.

Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco said about getting help outside of Riverside County for the rescue, “In the end, we knew we had to get help…our sex trafficking is through hotels or events, or things like that… apps online.” Public help is also essential to these rescues. He said, “We want license plate numbers, we want descriptions, if you can take pictures, we want pictures, and we follow up on every lead because you never know what you will find.”

Each recovered teen received immediate, caring support: victim advocacy services, medical attention when necessary, and resources to reunite with legal guardians or secure safe placements. Tragically, some had been victims of serious crimes like child sex trafficking and sexual assault. Still, the operation's success included multiple arrests, featuring one significant federal charge by Homeland Security Investigations—delivering both protection and justice.

The operation embodied its key goals: recovering at-risk youth, providing essential services and support, and deterring exploitation through decisive action. Partners included the FBI, Homeland Security Investigations, U.S. Secret Service, California Highway Patrol, Riverside Police Department, Anaheim Police Department, Los Angeles Police Department, California Department of Justice, and advocacy organizations like the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC), REACH, Rebirth Homes, and Riverside County Children and Family Services.

The Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act of 2015 (JVTA) expanded the U.S. Marshals Service's (USMS) authority to assist federal, state, and local law enforcement in locating and recovering missing, endangered, or abducted children, even if no federal fugitive or sex offender is involved. This strengthened authority enables the USMS to focus on "critically missing" children and has resulted in the recovery of over 4,500 children since 2015.

A Long-Awaited Miracle: Karen Rojas Found Safe After Six Years

Adding to this victory is the joyful recovery of Karen Rojas. Reported missing from Duarte, California, on June 2, 2020, at age 5, Karen—now 11—was located safe in Washington County, North Carolina, on March 10, 2026, over 2,500 miles away.

She had been living under an alias and enrolled in a local school. A fresh tip to Los Angeles County Sheriff's detectives on March 6 sparked the breakthrough, leading to close coordination with the Washington County Sheriff's Office and the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC). Authorities confirmed her identity and placed her in protective custody for a long-overdue reunion. Just three months after NCMEC released an updated age-progression image to keep the case in the public eye, this positive outcome emerged. John Bischoff of NCMEC's Missing Children Division called it "an incredible moment," highlighting the persistence and collaboration: "Her recovery reflects the persistence and close coordination between law enforcement and NCMEC and our shared commitment to never give up on a missing child.”

In California and across the country, these rescues serve as a powerful reminder: vigilance, community tips, and unified action truly save lives.

If you have information or need help, contact the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children hotline at 1-800-THE-LOST or local authorities. Together, we're building a safer world—one safe return at a time!

References:

• U.S. Marshals Service press release (usmarshals.gov, March 9, 2026)

• Riverside County Sheriff’s Office announcement (riversidesheriff.org, March 2026)

• Governor Gavin Newsom and Attorney General Rob Bonta joint statement (gov.ca.gov, March 10, 2026)

• National Center for Missing & Exploited Children update (missingkids.org, March 11, 2026)

• Coverage from Newsweek, KESQ, NewsNation, ABC7, and the Washington County Sheriff's Office