Ten missing children between 13 and 18 years old rescued on Oahu

Ten missing children were found and recovered in Oahu, Hawaii, the state attorney general's office and the Hawaii Department of Human Services announced Thursday. Several arrests were made as part of an operation that involved the FBI, the Secret Service, the US Marshals Services and the military. The missing childrens' ages range from 13 to 18. The child victims were identified, but their names were not immediately revealed. 'Our goal is to make every child in the state of Hawaii safe from predators who seek to harm them online or in person,' Internet Crimes Against Children commander Edward Arias said. The recovery was part of Operation Shine the Light, which looks to recover missing children and youth reported as runaways across Oahu. The number of arrests made was not disclosed. Authorities said investigations were ongoing. Hawaii's Attorney General Anne Lopez said: 'I want to acknowledge and thank all our dedicated federal, military, state and county law enforcement and community partners whose collaboration and tireless efforts made this mission a success.' As of Thursday night, the Hawaii Department of Human Services reported 28 missing children in the state. David Porter, FBI special agent in Honolulu, said: 'Protecting our children is at the core of the FBI's mission. 'This operation - in close collaboration with our law enforcement and community partners - is just one example of the work we do around the clock to safeguard our keiki and their futures.' Keiki refers to the Hawaiian word for children. Authorities said Operation Shine the Light started in 2020 to prevent missing children from being trafficked and exploited. After finding the children, authorities then provide them with 'essential services and care'. The 2014 Preventing Sex Trafficking and Strengthening Families Act requires state social service agencies to report any missing or abducted children to law enforcement and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) within 24 hours of learning the child is missing. In 2024, 18 percent of missing children were 'likely victims' of sex trafficking, NCMEC said. Justin Davis, US Marshal of the District of Hawaii, called the recovery 'the very best of what can be accomplished when state, local and federal partners come together with a shared commitment.' He added: 'The efforts of investigators and officers over the past several days reflect an extraordinary level of dedication, compassion and teamwork and the US Marshals Service is proud to stand alongside the Attorney General's Office and our partners to locate missing children, hold predators accountable and create a safer future for all of Hawaii's families.' Authorities said they would use 'every' resource, intelligent tool and partnership to track down criminals linked to missing children. Amanda Leonard, a coordinator for Missing Child Center-Hawaii, told KHON2: 'The reasons why children run away are multifaceted. 'They may have a substance abuse. They may have an older boyfriend or an older girlfriend. They may have met someone online.' The full list of agencies who worked on finding the missing children included the Hawaii attorney general's office, Hawaii Department of Human Services, Honolulu Police Department, FBI, US Marshals Service, Secret Service, Army Criminal Investigation Division, state Department of Law Enforcement Sheriff's Division, Hale Kipa Statewide Trafficking Victim Assistance Program, Oahu First Circuit Family Court and NCMEC. This story is breaking news and developing.