The Catholic Charities Diocese of Venice Anti-Human Trafficking Team was part of a larger coalition organized to support a multi-agency Missing Child Rescue Operation to locate endangered missing youth across Lee, Collier and Hendry counties.
The Missing Child Rescue Operation rescued 21 missing and endangered children across Lee, Collier and Hendry counties in an operation which culminated with an announcement on May 29, 2026.
The National Child Protection Task Force (NCPTF) was the lead agency with the Catholic Charities Anti-Human Trafficking Team participating as part of the on-site advocacy group because of their expertise in trauma-informed care and experience supporting vulnerable and potentially exploited youth. This was the second time Catholic Charities has been called to assist in a muti-agency anti-human trafficking rescue. In November of 2025, 29 children from the Fort Myers region were rescued.
Catholic Charities CEO Christopher M. Root said agency advocates helped ensure that every child rescued then encountered compassion, stability, and immediate support during the recovery process. This included providing basic necessities, offering emotional reassurance, and collaborating closely with the broader team to make sure each child’s immediate safety and well-being was prioritized.
“Our case managers assist people and try to help everyone with every need, but first we strive to give everyone who comes to us dignity,” Root said. “We want them to know and understand who they are, made in image and likeness of God.”
Bishop Frank J. Dewane, who has been an outspoken supporter of this Catholic Charities outreach program, stated, “Once again, it was a blessing that Catholic Charities was able to step up and help in this multi-agency effort. Assisting the victims of human trafficking is an important outreach that impacts far too many. The Catholic Charities team are on the frontlines helping children, and adults, overcome an exploitation that is nearly impossible to comprehend.”
Catholic Charities case managers were assigned to work on the reunification process as children were reunited with family whenever possible. Catholic Charities offers a variety of counseling and other services for victims of human trafficking. While some of the children refused, others accepted this offer of help and will be assisted as long as needed. For those who passed on immediate help, the Catholic Charities team provided information to the parents/guardians in case future assistance is needed.
Missing Child Rescue Operations focus on providing critical resources to not only rescue children, but also to prevent vulnerable youth from becoming victims of human trafficking, sexual exploitation and further harm.
Because many missing children are vulnerable to trafficking and exploitation, the operation also connected recovered youth directly with local advocacy organizations, such as Catholic Charities, and support services focused on safety, stability and care after recovery. These partnerships help strengthen the community response surrounding vulnerable children long after the operation concludes.
“Every child deserves to be found, heard and supported,” said Al Rollins, director of law enforcement partnerships for the National Child Protection Task Force. “This operation brought together law enforcement, advocates and technology partners from across the region to help locate vulnerable children and strengthen what happens next for them after recovery.”
About the Anti-Human Trafficking Assistance program
The Catholic Charities Anti-Human Trafficking Assistance program has a long-standing commitment to the plight of human trafficking in Southwest Florida by providing intensive case management and mental health counseling to all individuals who are the victims of this crime as they attempt to integrate into society after being rescued.
The group works closely with law enforcement agencies and prosecutors throughout Southwest Florida to provide and coordinate an expansive array of services to survivors from basic human needs to legal representation. Comprehensive case management and direct assistance is offered to all victims of severe human trafficking, which include minors, adults, and both domestic and foreign-born individuals. A victim-centered approach is used to deliver aid to clients while maintaining a mission of compassion, integrity, and empathy.
Victims are offered the following services: food and clothing; coordination to a shelter at a safe distance from the site of the exploitation; transitional housing; medical and dental service coordination; mental health counseling; referrals for further mental health services as needed; state and federal laws and benefits orientation and education; benefit application assistance; educational and language service opportunities; liaison with law enforcement and immigration service providers; and coordination with various community agencies for other required services.
Catholic Charities staff is active in various organizations that coordinate efforts to combat human trafficking and to inform the public about this heinous crime.
To learn more about the Anti-Human Trafficking Assistance program, please call 239-738-8722, or visit https://catholiccharitiesdov.org/anti-human-trafficking. If you would like to support this program, you can scan the QR code or visit https://catholiccharitiesdov.org/donate.
