Charlotte police locate 150+ missing juveniles through 'Operation Carolina Homecoming'

Charlotte police locate 150+ missing juveniles through ‘Operation Carolina Homecoming’
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Updated: 1:43 PM EDT May 19, 2021
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Updated: 1:43 PM EDT May 19, 2021
Charlotte-Mecklenburg police found more than 150 missing juveniles during an operation and brought them home.Most of the juveniles had been missing for more than six months, police say. “Operation Carolina Homecoming” took place from April 26 to May 7.“The juveniles were reunited with their families or returned to DSS custody,” police say.Many of the juveniles were found living at hotels, with an adult partner or with a friend.“Several of the juveniles were discovered to have been engaged in high-risk activities such as prostitution and narcotics activity, and a few of them were victims of human trafficking,” police say.“These are kids who have really tried to get away from home situations or they don’t like being in CPS custody or living in a group home, or they’re just engaging in criminal activity,” police said. Many juveniles who run away may disappear for hours, days or weeks, police say, but “these are kids who are taking active measures not to be found.”Atrium Health partnered with CMPD and other agencies to help provide physical and mental health care services. Doctors try to connect with the juveniles and help them heal after many experienced trauma.Pat’s Place Child Advocacy Center, the North Carolina ISAAC Fusion Center and Mecklenburg County Child Protective Services also assisted to provide the juveniles with resources for recovery.“This is really a call to action for the community,” the doctor said. “I think we all know there’s a mental health and behavioral health crisis.”Most of the juveniles were between 14 and 18 years old, with some being younger.“Some of these kids run because they’re seeking love and acceptance,” the doctors said, at which time predators step in to try and provide that.“There definitely are predators out there in society who try to connect with people through social media,” police said. “The people who do this know exactly who they’re looking for.”Last year, Charlotte police said they had at least 2,300 missing persons.Copyright 2021 WBTV. All rights reserved.

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