BayCare, the largest provider of pediatric and behavioral health services across West Central Florida, was part of a multiagency effort to support the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) during “Operation Dragon Eye,” the most successful missing child recovery operation in American history.
The two-week mission, which began May 28, resulted in eight arrests and the recovery of 60 children across Hillsborough, Pinellas and Pasco counties who were deemed to be at risk of violence and sexual exploitation.
BayCare, which provided medical and mental health care to youth recovered during the operation, joined law enforcement and social service agencies statewide to support the mission.
“The recovery of 60 critically missing children through Operation Dragon Eye is a powerful testament to what’s possible when federal, state and local agencies unite with committed partners like BayCare. Prideful is an understatement – the impact of this collaboration is deeply meaningful for our most vulnerable children,” said BayCare President and Chief Executive Officer Stephanie Conners.
Immediately upon rescue, the teens were brought to a secure BayCare facility for evaluation where professionals specifically trained in aiding at-risk youth assessed their individual needs and provided appropriate care.
“Recognizing the fear and distrust of many of the children recovered, it was our mission to create a positive health care experience in a safe, comforting and consenting environment,” said BayCare Director of Clinical Operations for Behavioral Health Tracey Kaly.
Team members from BayCare behavioral health services, along with victim advocates from Redefining Refuge, Bridging Freedom and More Too Life, set up a Consolidated Resource Center referred to as the Recovery Hub. Volunteers decorated the space with welcoming decor and provided care packages for the teens that included snacks, toiletries, plushies and other comforts. After a physical evaluation and mental health assessment, key staff with the Department of Children and Families assisted in placing the teens in safe housing.
This is the second year that BayCare has partnered with the U.S. Marshals Service to provide care for endangered youth recovered during a special operation. As the only health system with medical and behavioral health care facilities in all three counties targeted, BayCare was uniquely positioned to assist the USMS with the recovery mission.
“This operation was geared to do three things, recover children, provide essential services and deter bad actors. For that second component BayCare was absolutely instrumental,” said Deputy U.S. Marshal, Middle District of Florida Mario Price. “BayCare was able to provide full spectrum medical care for these kids, and we absolutely couldn’t have completed this operation without them. We look forward to working with them in the future.”
In preparation, BayCare team members throughout multiple departments within the hospital system underwent specialized training on working with commercially exploited children. This year’s operation involved numerous BayCare team members from pediatrics, behavioral health, emergency care, security, lab, food and nutrition, and environmental services all working in coordination with the goal of providing support and comfort to survivors.
Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier, along with the U.S. Marshals Service, recently held a press conference to announce the success of Operation Dragon Eye and to thank the numerous law enforcement and social service agencies from across the state that aided the operation. Dignitaries from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Tampa Police Department, St. Petersburg Police Department, Florida Department of Juvenile Justice and Human Trafficking Intervention, National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, Redefining Refuge and BayCare were all in attendance.
