A multi-agency Florida operation has recovered 163 missing children ranging in age from 2 months to 17 years across five continents, Attorney General James Uthmeier announced Tuesday.

Operation Statewide Shield, conducted over five days in mid-August, was Florida’s first statewide child-recovery initiative and the largest of its kind in the state’s history. Working with federal and foreign law enforcement partners, authorities located children in Florida, Alabama, California, Ohio, New York, North Carolina, Puerto Rico, and Tennessee, as well as in Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Dominica, Finland, Ghana, Guatemala, Italy, Jamaica, Mexico, Spain, and Taiwan.

Some of the children were runaways. Others had been abandoned, neglected, abused, or trafficked. “Many of these kids have been victimized by those who prey on the most vulnerable,” Uthmeier said. “These children are now safe and receiving the care they deserve.”

Three men have been arrested so far in connection with the operation. Michael Corey Prescott faces charges including lewd and lascivious acts with a minor, felony battery, and aggravated assault. Robert Ferral Allison was charged with lewd and lascivious battery on a victim between 12 and 16 years old. Jayden Allen Harwood faces charges of interference with child custody and resisting officers. Additional investigations are underway, and more arrests are expected.

Recovered children were taken to support hubs where they received assistance from social services, child welfare professionals, medical providers, and victim advocates. Some were reunited with family; others entered foster care.

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement led the effort with support from the Office of Statewide Prosecution, the Department of Children and Families, the Department of Juvenile Justice, multiple sheriff’s offices, and federal partners.