‘Operation Homecoming’: Eight missing children recovered in Indiana, total of 72 children found in federal sweeps

Federal officials have recovered eight missing children through Operation Homecoming. (usmarshals.gov)

By: Natalie Dreier, Cox Media Group National Content Desk

INDIANAPOLIS — Eight more missing children have been found as part of “Operation Homecoming,” officials with the U.S. Marshals Service announced.

The federal law enforcement officers searched for the children from Aug. 31 through Sept. 4 as part of a multiagency operation in the Indianapolis area, the Marshals said in a news release.

The children, who were between the ages of 6 and 17, were given to the Indiana Department of Child Services.

Over recent weeks, there have been operations under different names recovering missing children across the country.

“Operation Not Forgotten” saved 26 children and found the location of 13 others, bringing that total to 39.

“Operation Safety Net” found 25 missing and endangered children in Ohio over 20 days, CBS News reported.

Among the three operations, 72 children have been recovered over recent weeks.

Search continues for Indianapolis baby Amiah Robertson

Amiah Robertson was reported missing on March 16.

INDIANAPOLIS -- Indianapolis police say the search for a missing 8-month-old baby is being treated as a homicide investigation.

Chief Bryan Roach called a news conference Saturday and expressed frustration over a lack of cooperation from people who should be able to help authorities. He says he's "angry," a week after Amiah Robertson was reported missing by her family.

The chief says, "Somebody knows the whereabouts."

Police and volunteers have been searching along the White River in Indianapolis, based on certain items found along the bank.

Amiah Robertson, an eight-month-old baby, went missing last week.

Asked if he believes Amiah is alive, Lt. Bruce Smith says investigators "hope for the best" but can't ignore the fact that the baby can't take care of herself.

Amiah was reported missing on March 16 and police issued a statewide Silver Alert for her on Tuesday.

Robertson's mother is not a suspect and has been cooperating with detectives, police told WRTV.

On Tuesday, Indianapolis detectives executed a search warrant at a residence in the 200 block of South Holmes Avenue, according to a press release.

Anyone with information on the incident is asked to call IMPD Missing Person's detectives at 317-327-6160, 317-327-3811 or Crime Stoppers of Central Indiana at 317-262-8477.

National campaign to find missing children launches in Indianapolis:

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — A national campaign helping to find missing children is launching in Indianapolis.

The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children started the campaign called “Be Here for Kids.”

The goal is to raise awareness about missing children in the community. The non-profit organization is partnering up with Clear Channel to get the message across on digital billboards.

Digital billboards similar to the ones seen at a bus stop in Washington D.C. have already launched in Indiana. Each frame will flash a photo of a missing child in that local community.

“We never give up hope on our children no matter how long they’ve been gone, no matter what the circumstances, we keep hope alive,” said Robert Lowery, National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children said the billboards in Indianapolis will highlight the recent cases of two missing teens: Mary Boyer, 17, and Gabriella Howard, 16.

“We want the public to be the eyes and ears of law enforcement,” said Lowery. “Pay close attention to the images of our children and report anything they might know or see.”

Howard was reported missing by her mother in April and has not been seen since.

According to a police report, Howard’s mother said her daughter was last seen at home near North Tremont and West 12th Street.

The 16-year-old left for school, but never made it to class. Her mother believes she may have met someone online.

Despite the circumstances, NCMEC is hoping for a safe outcome in all of the cases.

“We believe strongly there are other cases like what we’ve seen in Cleveland, where the three ladies escaped captivity, there’s another Jaycee Dugard out there,” said Lowery. “We are very confident and another Elizabeth Smart. We’re going to continue to look for those children and hopefully find them and reunite them with their families.”

The billboards can be seen along interstates near Martinsville, Moorseville, Greenwood and Plainfield.

If you think you may have seen Boyer or Howard before you’re asked to call police. 

Trinity Mount Ministries Website

Source: http://goo.gl/vL7imw

30 LAWS IN 30 DAYS: FIGHTING CHILD EXPLOITATION

INDIANAPOLIS – A new law could mean young prostitutes are treated more like victims than criminals in an effort to save some from exploitation.

House Bill 1216 – passed in April – provides a defense to the crime of prostitution if the victim was under 18 and is found to be a victim of human trafficking at the time the crime was committed.

The bill also provides new resources for families dealing with cases of missing or trafficked children.

Tippecanoe County Prosecutor Pat Harrington said the goal of this law is not to criminalize victims.

“The purpose of the law is we want to help give these children a good life, away from a life of being abused and mistreated and help them as a victim as opposed to getting arrested,” Harrington said said. “We’re going to treat [them] like a victim and provide [them] with a safe space to be.”

Rep. Randy Truitt, R-West Lafayette, authored the legislation after Harrington brought the issues to his attention. Truitt said the bill dovetailed with a larger effort by the legislature to improve public safety. And he said he was happy to see this legislation pass both chambers with bipartisan support.

Harrington, who has been the Tippecanoe prosecutor for nine years, said he became more interested in the issue after “a few years ago several children were being trafficked, either into prostitution or involuntary labor. He said the current law did not allow the prosecutor’s office to classify those who were arrested as a victim.

Source: http://lakeshorepublicmedia.org/30-laws-in-30-days-fighting-child-exploitation/

Trinity Mount Ministries Website