The Californer - California: Governor Gavin Newsom & Attorney General Bonta: 37 Missing Children Found in Riverside County Operation

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~ 37 Missing Children Found in Riverside County Operation

In a joint press conference today, Governor Gavin Newsom and California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced the successful rescue of 37 missing children during Operation "Safe Return" in Riverside County. The operation, led by the United States Marshals Service (USMS) and supported by the California Department of Justice (DOJ), also resulted in the arrest of seven suspects.

The coordinated effort focused on locating the most at-risk missing children by investigating cases entered into the National Crime Information Center (NCIC), a law enforcement database. Through this partnership between state and federal authorities, 37 vulnerable children were identified, located, and safely recovered.

Governor Newsom emphasized the importance of protecting children from exploitation and ensuring their safety. He stated, "Every child deserves to be safe, protected, and given the chance to live their life free from exploitation." He also expressed his gratitude to law enforcement partners for their tireless efforts in locating these missing children and holding those responsible accountable.

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Attorney General Bonta echoed this sentiment, stating that finding missing children and bringing them home safely is crucial work. He also highlighted the collaboration between various agencies such as the Riverside Police Department, Riverside County Sheriff's Department, Riverside County District Attorney's Office, Riverside County Probation Office, California Highway Patrol, and Riverside County Department of Public Social Services.

The DOJ leads three human trafficking teams across the state: the Sacramento Regional Human Trafficking Task Force, the Fresno Human Trafficking Sexual Predator Apprehension Team, and the San Diego County Human Trafficking Task Force. These teams work to combat human trafficking by supporting victims and holding perpetrators accountable.

Human trafficking involves exploiting individuals for sex or labor through force, fraud or coercion. Often targeting vulnerable individuals due to circumstances such as poverty or housing instability, traffickers subject their victims to unimaginable abuse. The California DOJ continues to work with law enforcement partners across the state to combat this heinous crime and ensure the safety of all children.

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In other news, Governor Newsom also announced that California Highway Patrol officers have recovered over 33,000 stolen goods in organized retail crime sting operations since the beginning of 2026. This is part of the state's ongoing efforts to combat organized retail crime.

Additionally, Governor Newsom criticized former President Trump for launching military strikes on Iran without a plan to address the consequences. He stated that this has resulted in a spike in gas prices across the country, as oil prices are set in the global market. Finally, Governor Newsom proclaimed March 9-13 as "Civic Learning Week" in recognition of the importance of civic education in shaping responsible and engaged citizens.

Filed Under: Government, State

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