Three dozen missing children have been rescued during a sex trafficking raid in Georgia

Over three dozen missing children have been rescued during a sex trafficking raid in Georgia

The raid, which was called Operation Not Forgotten, involved state and federal agents, WSB-TV 2 reports. It extended across 20 countries in metro Atlanta

Multiple law agencies combed through north and middle Georgia for two weeks in an attempt to safely recover the kidnapped children. Authorities found 26 endangered children and another 13 missing children.

U.S. Marshals Service Director Donald Washington said that authorities are afraid that the children were already or potentially victims of sex trafficking.

Nine suspects were arrested and are now in jail while state prosecutors focus on the cases and medical and social workers concentrate on aiding the children.

Other major U.S. cities are pursuing similar operations, though most haven’t yet been completed.

.@GAFirstLady and I applaud the work of law enforcement in “Operation Not Forgotten.” We’ll continue to work around the clock to bring an end to human trafficking and ensure the perpetrators of this evil industry know they have no place in our state. https://t.co/z0pSopVRww

— Governor Brian P. Kemp (@GovKemp) August 27, 2020