A three-day search across Queens and Long Island brought 34 missing children and teens back to safety, with officials also connecting them to support and care.
The children were aged 7 to 18 and they were connected with support services. 10,629 children younger than 18 were reported missing to police across New York State in 2025, and 94% were reported as runaways. “During that year, police closed 10,672 cases involving children reported missing in 2025 or earlier years. At the end of 2025, there were 1,079 active missing children cases statewide,” James added.
As per The New York Post , the “Long Island Children Rescue Operation” ended disappearances that had lasted anywhere from a few days to 10 years. “A total of 10,629 children younger than 18 were reported missing to police across New York State in 2025, with 94% reported as runaways,” New York State police superintendent Steven James said in a statement on Friday, according to The Post.
“This operation brought together the expertise and resources needed to find vulnerable young people and help protect them from exploitation and harm. Our commitment does not end when a child is located. We must also help them get the care, support and stability they need to stay safe.”
“Every missing child deserves our full attention, and every family deserves answers,” Hochul said, as per CBS News .
Nearly 100 professionals from 40 agencies and organizations teamed up for the operation. The investigators worked from one command center in Garden City. There, they reviewed case information, followed new leads, shared intelligence and used technology to help close missing children cases across Nassau and Suffolk counties.
