Little Rock, AR – Eight missing or endangered children were safely recovered or located during a four-day, multi-agency operation in Arkansas, while authorities continue searching for two children in foster care who remain missing.
According to the Arkansas State Police, Operation HOPE began Aug. 18 and brought together state, federal and local agencies to focus on children missing from foster care and other high-risk circumstances.
Four Arkansas foster children were reported missing when the operation began. Three were safely recovered on the first day, authorities said. Investigators also responded to six additional missing or endangered child cases that emerged across Arkansas during the operation.
In total, 10 children were involved and eight were recovered or safely located. Seven of the eight were in the care of the Arkansas Division of Children and Family Services. Two were foster children reported missing from Colorado who were located in Arkansas.
State police said the cases included children missing from foster and residential placements, an alleged child abduction and cases with indicators of possible human trafficking.
Two Arkansas children in foster care remained missing as of Wednesday’s announcement. Arkansas State Police special agents and partner agencies are continuing efforts to find them.
Operation HOPE included the Arkansas Department of Human Services Division of Children and Family Services, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Families, the HHS Office of Inspector General and other partners.
Arkansas State Police said the effort builds on the state’s VALOR initiative, which coordinates law enforcement, child welfare agencies and other organizations responding to missing and endangered children.
As of Aug. 21, Arkansas had 80 active missing-person cases involving people reported missing before turning 18. Thirty were still younger than 18, according to state police.
