Trinity Mount Ministries - NCMEC - AMBER Alerts - Active Missing Children Posters - UPDATE - 04/17/2026

Help Find Missing Children. Let's Put An End To Child Abuse And Exploitation... Care.

Active Missing Children Posters Below.

Active AMBER Alerts

Name	Missing From	Issued For	Alert Date
Allen Fischer	Monteview, ID	ID	Jun 23, 2025
Rachelle Fischer	Monteview, ID	ID	Jun 23, 2025
Olivia Kimbro	Morehead City, NC	NC	Apr 16, 2026
Zay'Quise Henry	Humble, TX	TX	Apr 16, 2026

			Active AMBER Alert cases will remain on this page updated to 6 months from activation.  Following that, active missing child posters can be found by using the search tool here. Notice: The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children® certifies the posters on this site only if they contain the NCMEC logo and the 1-800-THE-LOST® (1-800-843-5678) number. All other posters are the responsibility of the agency whose logo appears on the poster.

   

Keeping Our Kids Safe: 16 Arrested in Major Multi-Agency Sting

By Brett Fletcher 

​In a significant victory for child safety, local and federal authorities have concluded a massive coordinated effort to get predators off our streets.

​According to a report by Morgan Starling in The Daily News on March 30, 2026, a multi-agency operation has led to the arrest of 16 individuals. This operation represents weeks of undercover work, digital forensics, and seamless collaboration between law enforcement branches.

​The Operation at a Glance

​While the specifics of "sting" operations are often kept under wraps to protect future investigations, the scale of this mission was immense. It involved a partnership between local police departments, county sheriffs, and federal investigators.

​By pooling their resources, these agencies were able to cast a wider net, tracking suspects who often use the anonymity of the internet to cross jurisdictional lines.

​Why This Matters

​For many parents and community members, news like this can be unsettling. It’s a stark reminder that the digital world can hold hidden dangers for our children. However, the success of this operation also highlights three vital points:

1. ​Law Enforcement is Prioritizing Digital Safety: Authorities are becoming increasingly sophisticated in tracking online exploitation.
2. ​Collaboration is Key: When local and federal agencies work together, there is "nowhere to hide" for those looking to do harm.
3. ​Community Vigilance Works: Often, these investigations begin with a single tip or an observant parent.

​How to Protect Your Family

​While law enforcement is doing its part, we can all take steps to improve "digital hygiene" at home:

• ​Open Communication: Talk to your kids about what they are doing online without being judgmental. If they feel they can come to you when something feels "weird," you’re halfway there.
• ​Privacy Settings: Regularly check the privacy settings on gaming consoles, social media apps, and tablets.
• ​Report Suspicious Activity: If you see something, say something. Never hesitate to reach out to local authorities if you encounter suspicious behavior online.

​Looking Ahead

​The 16 individuals arrested are currently facing a variety of charges, and the legal process is just beginning. As more details from The Daily News and Morgan Starling emerge regarding the specific charges and the regions affected, we will continue to keep our community informed.

​For now, we extend a huge thank you to the officers and investigators who worked tirelessly on this operation. Their dedication has made our neighborhoods—and our internet—a little bit safer today.

​What are your thoughts on this recent operation? Does it change how you talk to your kids about internet safety? Let us know in the comments below.

Big Tech Facing Accountability? Inside the Historic Jury Rulings on Child Safety

By Brett Fletcher 

​The Tides are Turning

For over two decades, social media giants have operated under a robust legal shield in the United States known as Section 230. This law generally protects platforms from liability for the content users post. However, in late March 2026, two separate juries delivered back-to-back verdicts that have shaken the foundations of this defense, specifically regarding the safety and well-being of children.

​The setbacks faced by Meta (Facebook/Instagram) and Google (YouTube) signal a profound shift in how the legal system views the responsibility of tech companies. The cases didn’t argue about the content itself, but rather that the platforms were "defective by design."

​Verdicts of Reckoning

​1. The California ‘Addiction’ Defect (March 25, 2026)

In a groundbreaking case in Los Angeles, a jury found both Meta and Google liable for the addiction and subsequent mental health harm suffered by a young woman. The plaintiff, known as K.G.M., argued that predatory algorithms and features like infinite scroll were designed to create compulsive use, leading to depression and body dysmorphia.

• ​The Findings: The jury ruled that the apps should be treated as defective products due to their addictive nature.
• ​The Penalty: The jury awarded a combined $6 million in damages (Meta 70%, Google 30%). This verdict is historic: it is the first time a jury has held tech companies accountable for the physical and mental harm caused by the inherent, engineered design of their platforms.

​2. The New Mexico ‘Exploitation’ Verdict (March 24, 2026)

Just one day prior, a Santa Fe jury delivered an even larger financial blow to Meta regarding child sexual abuse material (CSAM) and predator activity. New Mexico’s Attorney General successfully argued that Meta knowingly misled the public about the safety of its platforms for minors.

• ​The Evidence: The state provided evidence, including a sting operation ("Operation MetaPhile"), showing how easily predators could locate and target minors using Instagram's own recommendation algorithms.
• ​The Penalty: Meta was ordered to pay $375 million in civil penalties for violating consumer protection laws.

​Why These Setbacks Matter Now

These back-to-back defeats represent crucial legal precedents. By focusing on product liability rather than content hosting, plaintiffs have found a path around Section 230 that allows juries to scrutinize the actual engineering and business practices of these massive corporations.

​These "bellwether" cases are likely to influence the thousands of similar lawsuits now pending across the US, brought by school districts, state attorneys general, and grieving families. While Meta and Google plan to appeal, the verdicts demonstrate that a jury of peers believes these companies must be held accountable for the impact of their technology on the most vulnerable users.

​For advocates of child safety, these rulings offer a powerful tool to demand transparency and safer design by default. The message from the courtrooms is clear: The 'move fast and break things' era, when it breaks children, is over.

Global cybercrime crackdown: over 373 000 dark web sites shut down

Authorities from 23 countries participate in the operation

On 9 March 2026, a global operation led by German authorities and supported by Europol was launched against one of the largest networks of fraudulent platforms in the dark web. The investigation began in mid-2021 against the dark web platform “Alice with Violence CP”. During the investigation, authorities discovered that the platform’s operator was running more than 373 000 fraudulent websites advertising child sexual abuse material (CSAM) and cybercrime-as-a-service (CaaS) offerings.

From 9 to 19 March 2026, 23 countries joined forces in 'Operation Alice,' which initially only targeted the platform operator. However, through international cooperation, the investigation uncovered the identities of 440 customers who had used the operator's services. Due to the nature of the purchases, additional investigations were launched against them. The operation is still ongoing against more than a hundred of those individuals.

Results of Operation Alice

So far, Operation Alice has led to the following results:

• 1 perpetrator operating the dark web platform identified;
• 440 customers worldwide identified;
• Over 373 000 dark web websites shut down;
• 105 servers seized;
• Electronic devices seized, including computers, mobile phones and electronic data carriers.

Catherine De Bolle

Europol’s Executive Director

Operation Alice sends a clear message: there is nowhere to hide for criminals when the international law enforcement community works hand in glove. We will find them and hold them accountable. Europol will continue to protect children, support victims, and track down the perpetrators.

An intricate network of fraudulent websites

Over the course of nearly five years of investigation, German authorities discovered that a single individual operated more than 373 000 onion domains (websites) on the dark web. An onion domain is a special type of website address that is designed to hide the identity and location of the website and the people visiting it. From February 2020 to July 2025, the suspect advertised CSAM on different platforms, which were accessible through more than 90 000 of those onion domains. On these platforms, the perpetrator offered CSAM that could allegedly be purchased as “packages” after providing an email address and making a payment in Bitcoin.

Each package had an estimated cost of between EUR 17 and EUR 215, and promised data volumes ranging from a few gigabytes to several terabytes of CSAM. However, these were purely fraudulent sites where CSAM was advertised and previewed but never delivered.

In addition to CSAM, several cybercrime-as-a-service (CaaS) offerings were promoted, including credit card data and access to foreign systems. The goal was always to persuade customers to make payments without receiving any service in return.

Targeting the operator…

Investigations were also conducted against the platform’s operator, a 35-year-old man based in the People's Republic of China. Authorities estimate that the individual made over EUR 345 000 in profit from approximately 10 000 customers worldwide who, according to authorities, attempted to purchase the material he was advertising.

From November 2019 until recently, he operated a network of up to 287 servers at its peak, 105 of which were located in Germany. German authorities have issued an international arrest warrant.

…the criminals purchasing CSAM…

By paying for CSAM, the customers themselves became suspects, even though they never received the material. Investigators assessed that individuals seeking access to exclusive –and, therefore, severe– child sexual abuse material could represent high-value targets and provide important intelligence for law enforcement worldwide.

…and protecting the victims

Throughout the years of investigation, authorities acted immediately whenever they identified children to be in danger, taking appropriate measures to protect their well-being.

For example, in August 2023, investigators from the Bavarian State Criminal Police Office searched the home of a 31-year-old father who had transferred EUR 20 to purchase a package containing 70 GB of CSAM. The man was later convicted.

Europol’s role

During the investigation, Europol specialists facilitated the exchange of information between national authorities, provided analytical support and coordinated the international response. Additionally, they played a key role in tracing cryptocurrency payments and delivering intelligence to the countries involved in the operation.

Most importantly, the close cooperation between German authorities and Europol enabled the identification of the perpetrator.

Stopping child abuse and supporting victims

The fight against child sexual exploitation is a priority for Europol. Alongside the support provided by the European Cybercrime Centre (EC3) to Member States in preventing and detecting crimes linked to the sexual exploitation of children, Europol is currently running two major projects in this area.

This week, Europol released new photos to the platform 'Stop Child Abuse – Trace an Object', which calls on all citizens to examine objects from child sexual abuse cold cases and see if they recognise any of them. No clue is too small: even the smallest detail could help identify and safeguard a sexually abused child.

Additionally, a new digital platform, Help4U, was launched in November 2025 to support children and teenagers facing sexual abuse or online harm. Designed to be simple, private and accessible, Help4U helps young people find trusted advice, understand their rights and connect with people who can help them.

Participating countries in Operation Alice:

1. Australia: Australian Federal Police (AFP)
2. Austria: Criminal Intelligence Service (Bundeskriminalamt)
3. Belgium: Federal Judicial Police – Federale Gerechtelijke Politie
4. Canada: Royal Canadian Mounted police (RCMP) - National Child Exploitation Crime Centre (NCECC)
5. Croatia: National Cybercrime Department (Služba kibernetičke sigurnosti)
6. Czech Republic: Czech national police (USKPV), Bureau of Criminal Police and Investigation Service
7. Denmark: National Cyber Crime Centre (NC3) at Special Crime Unit (SCU/NSK) and Danish National Police (Dansk Politi)
8. France: Police department for the protection of children (OFMIN) of the national directorate of judicial police (DNPJ)
9. Germany: Bavarian State Criminal Police (BLKA), Bavarian Central Office for the Prosecution of Cybercrime (ZKI), Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA)
10. Hungary: National Bureau of Investigation Cybercrime Department Investigative Division (Nemzeti Nyomozó Iroda Kiberbűnözés Elleni Főosztály Nyomozó Osztály)
11. Italy: National Police – Postal and Cyber Security Police Service (Polizia di Stato - Servizio Polizia Postale e per la Sicurezza Cibernetica)
12. Lithuania: Lithuanian Criminal Police Bureau (Lietuvos kriminalines policijos biuras)
13. Netherlands: National Police (Politie)
14. Poland: Central Cybercrime Bureau (CBZC)
15. Portugal: Judicial Police (Polícia Judiciária)
16. Romania: Romanian Police (Poliția Română)
17. Slovenia: Slovenian Criminal Police (Slovenska kriminalistična policija)
18. Spain: Guardia Civil - Criminal Intelligence Unit (UTPJ) and Central Investigations Unit (UCO)
19. Sweden: National Cybercrime Centre (SC3), Region South (Syd), Region West (Väst) and Region Bergslagen
20. Switzerland: Federal Office of Police fedpol (Bundesamt für Polizei fedpol), Lucerne Police (Luzerner Polizei), Cantonal Police of St. Gallen (Kantonspolizei St. Gallen), Cantonal Police of Thurgau (Kantonspolizei Thurgau), Cantonal Police of Zurich (Kantonspolizei Zürich)
21. Ukraine: National Police of Ukraine
22. United Kingdom: National Crime Agency (NCA)
23. US: Homeland Security Investigations (HSI)

Note to media

Europol encourages you to use the term ‘child (sexual) abuse material’ and not ‘child pornography’ in your reporting.

The use of the term ‘child pornography’ helps child sex abusers as it indicates legitimacy and compliance on the part of the victim, and therefore legality on the part of the sex abuser. By using the phrase ‘child pornography’, it conjures up images of children posing in ‘provocative’ positions, rather than suffering horrific abuse. Every photograph or video captures an actual situation where a child has been abused. This is not pornography.

Human trafficking sting brings 37 teens home in SoCal in sheriff and feds takedown

By Ben Chapman

Dozens of teens across California and neighboring states were brought home safe after a massive human trafficking sting operation.

The Riverside County Sheriff’s Office’s Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force, together with the U.S. Marshals and other agencies, recovered 37 missing minors aged 14-17 during a human trafficking operation dubbed “Operation Safe Return.” 

The youths rescued by the sheriff and federal agents were provided with victim services, medical support and resources to help them reunite with their families.  

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The Riverside County Sheriff’s Office worked with federal law enforcement to find missing teens.Facebook/Riverside County Sheriff's Office
“We will never stop fighting to protect California children and bring them home,” California Attorney General Rob Bonta said in a statement announcing the operation.

During the operation, more than 50 minors between the ages of 14 and 17 were identified as missing, according to the Sheriff’s office. The teens targeted in the operation were missing for anywhere from one month to two years.

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The U.S. Marshals led the federal effort in “Operation Safe Return.”Instagram/usmarshalshq

The Sherrif’s office dispatched officers and social workers to rescue the missing teens in areas including Riverside County, San Bernardino County, Orange County and Los Angeles.

On average, between 5,000 – 6,000 children run away from home or go missing each year in Riverside County alone, according to the Sheriff’s Office. A majority of those children return home shortly after leaving. 

Keeping Your Children Safe in the Age of Social Media: A Parent’s Guide

Know the Apps, Protect Your Kids

Children and teens now use more apps and online platforms than ever. While many support creativity, learning, and connection, others may expose young users to cyberbullying, inappropriate content, privacy risks, or contact with strangers.

Safer Internet Day highlights that awareness, rather than fear, is key to keeping children safe online. Understanding the apps children use and how they work is an essential first step.

Why Knowing the Apps Matters

Many popular apps offer direct messaging, live streaming, location sharing, or anonymous interaction. While these features can be positive when used responsibly, without proper settings and supervision, they may put children at risk. Parents who understand these platforms are better prepared to guide safe online behavior.

Apps Parents Should Be Aware Of Today

Social Media & Photo Sharing

TikTok

A short-form video platform popular with teens. Although parental controls and screen-time tools are available, users may still encounter explicit content, viral challenges, or unwanted interactions if privacy settings are not managed effectively.

Instagram

A photo and video sharing app with Stories, Reels, and private messaging. Risks include cyberbullying, oversharing personal information, unwanted attention, and pressure related to appearance and popularity.

Snapchat

Known for photos and messages that disappear after viewing. However, content can still be saved or shared, and the temporary nature of messages may encourage risky behavior.

BeReal

This app encourages users to post unfiltered photos at random times each day. While it promotes authenticity, it may expose location data and create social pressure to post immediately.

Threads

A text-based social platform linked to Instagram. Similar risks include public posts, unwanted interactions, and oversharing personal information.

Messaging Apps

WhatsApp

A messaging app for texts, photos, videos, and voice messages. While widely used and encrypted, it can enable communication with people outside a child’s known contacts.

Telegram

A messaging platform known for large group chats and strong privacy features. Limited moderation and anonymous interactions may expose minors to inappropriate content or unknown individuals.

Gaming & Live Streaming

Roblox

An online gaming platform where users create and play games made by others. Chat features may expose children to cyberbullying or contact with strangers, and in-game purchases can result in unexpected charges.

Discord

Originally designed for gamers, Discord now hosts many private servers. Unmoderated spaces may expose children to explicit content, bullying, or unsafe interactions.

Twitch

A live streaming platform focused on gaming. Real-time chat features may expose minors to inappropriate language or content.

Bigo Live

A live streaming app that allows users to broadcast and interact in real time. The platform’s gifting and interaction features may encourage risky behavior, especially for minors.

Anonymous & Dating Apps

Yubo

A social discovery app that allows users to connect through live video and chat. Although there are age-based communities, users may misrepresent their age, increasing safety concerns.

Bumble

A dating app for adults that uses location-based matching. Age restrictions exist, but they can be bypassed, potentially exposing minors to inappropriate interactions.

Tinder

A swipe-based dating app that connects nearby users. Its location-based design and adult-focused environment present clear risks for underage users.

LMK (Let Me Know)

An anonymous question and answer app often linked to other social platforms. Anonymity may encourage cyberbullying or inappropriate messaging.

Video Apps

YouTube

YouTube is one of the most widely used platforms among children and teens for entertainment, tutorials, and gaming content. While YouTube and YouTube Kids offer safety tools, users may still encounter videos with inappropriate language, themes, or imagery, and comment sections can expose children to cyberbullying or harmful interactions.

Likee

Likee is a short-form video app similar to TikTok that allows users to create and share edited videos. While less popular than TikTok, it includes public profiles and live features that may expose minors to inappropriate content or unwanted contact with strangers.

A Note on Less-Used or Phased-Out Apps

Some apps that raised concerns in previous years, such as Kik, Ask.fm, Omegle, MeetMe, and Hot or Not, are now far less popular among children and teens or have been phased out. While these platforms may no longer be widely used, they can still exist in limited form or reappear under new names. This underscores the importance of regularly reviewing your child’s device and staying informed as technology evolves.

How Parents Can Help Keep Kids Safe Online

Parents and caregivers play a vital role in online safety. Consider these proactive steps:

• Have ongoing conversations about online behavior and digital risks
• Know which apps your child is using and why
• Set clear rules for screen time and app downloads
• Enable parental controls and review privacy settings
• Remind children never to share personal information online
• Encourage kids to report anything that makes them uncomfortable

Important Disclaimer

This information is provided for educational and awareness purposes only. It is not intended to criticize or discourage the use of any specific app, brand, or developer. Many platforms continue to improve safety tools and protections. Parental involvement, communication, and supervision remain the most effective ways to reduce online risks.

Trusted Government Resources for Online Safety

For additional guidance and reporting tools, parents are encouraged to visit these official resources:

Federal Trade Commission (FTC) – https://www.consumer.ftc.gov

FBI – Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) – https://www.ic3.gov

U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) – https://www.justice.gov

National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) – https://www.missingkids.org

USA.gov – Online Safety for Kids – https://www.usa.gov

If you have any questions about how to keep your child safe online, please contact our office at 407-348-2222.

Keeping your kids safe online: The free tools parents need to know

Dangers lurk online and in the video games your kids play for fun. Fortunately, there are some free apps that can help you monitor what your kids are doing and who they are communicating with.

PROJECT SAFE CHILDHOOD - DOJ - Trinity Mount Ministries - UPDATE - 03/31/2026

Help Find Missing Children. Let's Put An End To Child Abuse And Exploitation... Care.

PROJECT SAFE CHILDHOOD

  

About Project Safe Childhood

Project Safe Childhood is a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice.  Led by the U.S. Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims.

Learn More About Project Safe Childhood

Press Release

Brook Park Man Sentenced to 14 Years in Prison for Trafficking Nearly 2,000 Child Sexual Abuse Images

April 1, 2026

Press Release

Chester man pleads guilty to child pornography charges

April 1, 2026

Press Release

Florida man who traveled from Florida to Western New York to have sex with a minor going to prison

April 1, 2026

Press Release

New Jersey Man Who Engaged in Sexual Activity with Minor, Gave Her Cocaine, Sentenced to 14 Years in Federal Prison

April 1, 2026

Press Release

Registered sex offender arrested on multiple new child pornography charges

April 1, 2026

Press Release

Spring resident sent to prison for over 13 years after distributing child sexual abuse material

April 1, 2026

More News

RESOURCES

Amber Alert

Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention

Read the Project Safe Childhood Fact Sheet »

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