Operation Desert Dawn focused on endangered runaways and other critically missing children in the Phoenix area.
PHOENIX — Federal marshals and Arizona agencies located 31 missing children during a three-week operation that ended May 1 after targeting endangered runaways and other children considered at high risk, authorities said.
The U.S. Marshals Service said Operation Desert Dawn ran from April 13 to May 1 and focused on areas with high numbers of critically missing children. Officials said 20 children were safely found, while the locations of 11 others were confirmed. The cases included suspected trafficking victims, children facing homelessness or substance use challenges and children with mental health concerns.
The operation included 12 focused days of field work in the Valley and other Arizona communities, officials said. U.S. Marshal Van Bayless of the District of Arizona said the work centered on children in unsafe conditions. “This operation was about protecting children who were in vulnerable and dangerous situations,” Bayless said. He said each child located represented “a young life removed from the risk of exploitation, abuse, or worse.” Officials did not release the children’s names because they are minors and because some related investigations remain active.
Authorities described several cases without identifying the children. One 17-year-old had been missing from Phoenix for 18 months. A 14-year-old missing from Phoenix was located in Tucson. An 11-year-old girl with mental health concerns was among the children found. Officials also said a 16-year-old was experiencing homelessness and substance use challenges. Two girls were listed as suspected sex trafficking victims, including a 17-year-old in Phoenix and a 16-year-old in Glendale. Authorities did not say how long each child had been missing or how many were returned to relatives.
Bayless said investigators used many of the same tools and habits used to track violent fugitives, but the goal was to find children and move them out of danger. He said investigators relied on interviews, records, field checks and information shared by partner agencies. “We continue kind of using all the techniques and protocols and practices that we’ve learned over the years on how to talk to people, how to listen to information,” Bayless said. Some children were reunited with family members, while others were connected with crisis centers, child welfare services or other support programs.
The Marshals Service said the effort included federal, state and local agencies, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and community partners. Phoenix and Glendale police, the Arizona Department of Public Safety and state child safety officials were among the agencies involved. Operation Desert Dawn was supported by the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act of 2015, which expanded the Marshals Service’s authority to help locate missing, endangered and abducted children even when no fugitive or sex offender case is attached.
Under that authority, marshals assist other law enforcement agencies when children are believed to face an elevated risk of violence, exploitation, abuse or other harm. The Marshals Service has used that role in child recovery operations across the country. Officials said the Arizona effort was aimed at children classified as critically missing, a category that can include endangered runaways and children exposed to unstable housing, substance use or adults who may exploit them. The agency said it does not treat every missing child case the same, because some cases show a higher risk of immediate harm.
John Meza of the Arizona Anti-Trafficking Network said the recovery of a missing child does not end the case. “Recovery really is just the beginning,” Meza said. “There’s going to be a long road to help them truly heal.” Meza said the Arizona operation showed endangered children were being found inside local communities, not only in border areas or distant trafficking routes. Officials said some leads connected to adults who may have exploited children remain under review. They did not identify suspects, announce arrests or release a number of possible criminal cases tied to the operation.
The next steps include continued evidence review, follow-up interviews and coordination of care for the children who were located. Authorities did not announce court dates or charges with the initial results. Partner agencies are expected to handle individual cases based on each child’s circumstances, including whether a child needs family placement, crisis care, medical support or further law enforcement protection. Officials also said investigators continue to review leads tied to possible predators, but they did not say when another public update will be issued.
The operation had ended by Wednesday, with 31 children located and related investigations still active. The next major milestone is any case-by-case update from law enforcement or child welfare agencies handling the children’s placements and possible criminal leads.
Author note: Last updated May 6, 2026.