Mt. Kisco, NY – February 17, 2026

In a Heartwarming Triumph of Collaboration and Cutting-edge Tech, Westchester Authorities joyfully reunited 43 Vulnerable Children and Teens with their Families, proving Hope endures against Exploitation. Yet this shines a stark Light on the National Nightmare: nearly 300,000 Unaccompanied Migrant Children from the Biden-era’s Open Borders remain unaccounted for by ICE/HHS, per DHS Inspector General Reports — Potentially lost to Traffickers in America’s Dark, Satanic Shadows.

In a triumph of modern Law Enforcement Collaboration and Cutting-edge Technology, Authorities in Westchester County, New York, have successfully located 43 missing Children and Teenagers — ranging in age from 8 to 17 — during an intensive Three-day Operation that wrapped up last Week. Dubbed The Westchester Missing Child Rescue Operation, this Initiative marked the third of its kind in New York State and zeroed in on High-risk Runaways particularly susceptible to Exploitation, Human Trafficking, Substance Abuse, and other grave Dangers. The effort not only reunited Families but also highlighted a proactive Model for tackling the persistent Crisis of Missing Youth.

The Mechanics of a High-Stakes Rescue

The Operation unfolded from February 10 to 12, transforming the Hotel MTK in Mt. Kisco into a Bustling Command Center. Here, Teams pored over Digital Leads, coordinated Field Deployments, and managed Real-Time Recoveries. Over 70 Organizations converged, blending Local, State, Federal, and Private Resources in a Symphony of Expertise.

Key Players included the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) Missing Persons Clearinghouse, the New York State Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS), and the National Child Protection Task Force (NCPTF). Local Police from Yonkers, Mount Vernon, Mt. Pleasant, White Plains, and Dobbs Ferry were on the Front Lines, supported by Heavyweights like the New York State Police (NYSP), New York Police Department (NYPD), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), U.S. Marshals Service, and the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC).

Private Tech Giants played a Pivotal Role: Meta, Snap, Google, and Verizon supplied Data Analytics, Geolocation Tools, and Platform Insights to trace Digital Footprints. Nonprofits like 914Cares stepped in for Post-Recovery Care, providing Immediate Essentials and Emotional Support.

“This was a Remarkable Collaborative Effort,” DCJS Commissioner Rossana Rosado stated in the Official Press Release. “Every Missing Child Case represents a Young Person who deserves to be Safe, Supported, and Seen.” The Announcement dropped on February 13 via DCJS’s Official Release.

Confronting New York’s Missing Children Epidemic

New York State’s Missing Children Statistics paint a Sobering Picture. In 2025, 10,629 Children under 18 were reported Missing Statewide, with 94% categorized as Runaways—a Term that belies the Peril these Youth face. Law Enforcement resolved 10,672 Cases, including Longstanding Backlogs, yet 1,079 remained Active by Year’s End. Runaways often flee Family Conflict, Abuse or Mental Health Struggles, making them Prime Targets for Traffickers who exploit their Vulnerability via Social Media and Street Networks.

Nationally, the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) reported nearly 30,000 Missing Children Cases in 2024 alone, with Runaways comprising the Bulk. These Operations represent a Shift from Reactive Policing to “Sprint-Style” Interventions, compressing Months of Investigation into Days.

OCFS Commissioner Dr. DaMia Harris-Madden underscored the Ripple Effects: “These Initiatives have supported over 80 Missing Young People across New York.” Following Recoveries, OCFS teamed with 914Cares and the NYC Administration for Children’s Services (ACS) to deliver Clothing, Hygiene Kits, Counseling, and Family Mediation—crucial for preventing Re-Disappearance, which affects up to 30% of Runaways without Intervention.

Local Voices echoed the Success. Westchester County District Attorney Susan Cacace vowed to “prioritize Missing and Exploited Children.” Yonkers Police Department Commissioner Christopher Sapienza hailed “the Power of Concentrated Efforts,” while Mount Vernon PD Chief Marcel Olifiers noted, “This shows the Real Impact of Agencies working together.”

Lessons from Prior Victories: Building Momentum

Westchester’s feat builds on two prior New York Operations, proving the Model’s Scalability.

• Erie County (October 2024): The state’s first-ever Missing Child Rescue Operation in Buffalo located 47 Children reported missing to Amherst and Buffalo PDs. Coordinated similarly, it drew praise from the Tim Tebow Foundation and revealed systemic gaps in runaway tracking.
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• Capital Region (March 2025): Targeting Albany, Schenectady, and Troy, this effort recovered 71 runaways (official NCPTF count), though some reports cited 56-63. It closed cases dating back years and involved Glens Falls PD and others (OCFS announcement)‎

These “Sprints” have collectively reunited over 160 children, with NCPTF planning four more in 2025-2026 nationwide.

The NCPTF: Tech-Savvy Guardians

At the Heart of this Successful Operation is the NCPTF, co-Founded and led by CEO Kevin Branzetti, a NYPD Veteran with 29 Years of Experience, who rose through Ranks in Counterterrorism and Cybercrime at the Manhattan DA’s Office. Branzetti’s Vision:
— Equip Law Enforcement with AI-Driven Intel to outpace Predators.

NCPTF deploys Tools like Clearview AI for Facial Recognition, DarkOwl for Dark Web Scans, and Social Media Scrapers. Funded by Verizon, Tim Tebow Foundation, and Donors, it’s 24/7 Ready. “Bringing them Home is only the Beginning,” their Site states, emphasizing Aftercare to break Recidivism Cycles.

Technology: The Game-Changer

Social Media is a Double-Edged Sword — Runaways post Locations unwittingly, while Traffickers groom Online. Tech Partners unlocked Snapchat Geofilters and Meta Ad Data. AI sifted Billions of Posts, pinpointing 43 Leads in 72 Hours. No Arrests this Time; Focus stayed on Welfare, though Leads persist.

Beyond Recovery: Healing and Prevention

A Majority of the 43 accepted Services: Many returned Home, Others to Safe Placements. 914Cares provided Trauma-Informed Aid, addressing Root Causes like Foster Care Instability (40% of Runaways) or Homelessness.

CBS News reported Organizers’ use of “New Tools,” with Branzetti emphasizing Speed: “Three Days to find 43 Runaways between 8-17.”

A National Blueprint Amid Rising Risks

Runaways face Trafficking Odds 1-in-7, per NCMEC. Operations like this Counter that, inspiring States like Florida (43 Recoveries in One Operation). With 1,079 Active NY Cases, Momentum builds

DCJS Hotline: 1-800-346-3543

(No 24-Hour Wait Myth).

As Commissioner Rosado said, these Kids deserve to be “Seen.” Westchester proves they can be Found.

A Victory — But A Small One Nonetheless

We are elated and delighted that 43 Children have been found and are now getting the Attention and Follow-up that they need and deserve. But we also hope and pray that this Effort can be scaled up on a National Level.

This is something that Congress and President Trump ought to be able to get behind bilaterally. Because the Fact remains: —At least 300,000 Children came across the Biden Regime’s Open Borders that at this moment are unaccounted for.

Nobody knows whether these Children are Dead or Alive. Nobody knows if they have been sold into Sex Slavery or Trafficked.

The Model the 70 Organizations have shown to work over these three days The Westchester Missing Child Rescue Operation was ongoing can and should be rolled out as a Nationwide Dragnet to find and protect all the hundreds of thousands of Children out there in the Cold Darkness.

Rejoice for the 43! Pray for the 300,000+!

For Updates, check DCJS, OCFS, or NCPTF.

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Sources

1. DCJS Official Press Release
2. Yonkers Times
3. NCPTF Website
4. Spectrum News — Westchester Missing Kids Recovery Operation
5. New York Post — 43 missing and runaway kids from Westchester County found in just three days
6. News 12 Hudson Valley — 43 missing children located in Westchester’s first Missing Child Rescue Operation
7. CBS News — Westchester County missing child rescue operation locates 43 runaways in 3 days
8. NCPTF Runaways Impact — Runaways Are Endangered Missing Children
9. Erie County Operation – Tim Tebow Foundation
10. Capital Region – OCFS