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Community · Greater Long Island

34 missing children and teens found in Long Island rescue operation

By Greater Long Island October 3, 2026 2 min read

Thirty-four kids reported missing on Long Island and in New York City have been found during a massive three-day rescue operation run out of a command center in Garden City, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced Friday.

The young people found ranged in age from 7 to 18 when they were reported missing to the Nassau County Police Department, Suffolk Police or the NYPD, officials said. They included children who had been trafficked.

The Long Island Missing Child Rescue Operation wrapped up Thursday after months of planning. It brought together more than 100 professionals from nearly 40 law enforcement agencies, prosecutors’ offices, social service agencies and advocacy groups, the governor said.

Investigators reviewed case files, ran down new leads, shared intelligence and used technology to track down the missing kids across both counties. Officials said agencies are still working additional cases.

“Every missing child deserves our full attention, and every family deserves answers,” Hochul said. “Our commitment does not end when a child is located.”

The governor explained that the operation was co-led by the state Division of Criminal Justice Services’ Missing Persons Clearinghouse, the state Office of Children and Family Services and the National Child Protection Task Force, a nonprofit that works with police on missing, exploited and trafficked children. State Police provided support.