Atlanta

16 children, suspected victims of sex trafficking, rescued in metro Atlanta

ATLANTA — Georgia’s Attorney General said over a dozen children who were suspected victims of sex trafficking, were rescued in metro Atlanta over a two-week period in May.

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Operation Not Forgotten 2021 recovered 20 children last month, 16 of whom were suspected of being victims of child sex trafficking.

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The Office of the Attorney General worked with the U.S. Marshal’s Missing Child Unit and Southeast Regional Task Force, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, and Georgia state and local agencies during the operation.

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“Being embedded throughout the duration of this op allows our prosecutors and investigators to build the strongest possible cases against buyers and traffickers, and allows our victim advocate to ensure those rescued get the critical rehabilitative resources that they need,” Attorney General Chris Carr said. “We will continue to find strategic opportunities like this to recover victims and put criminals behind bars.”

The operation was the third of its kind. The victims are not being identified.