One can only imagine the relief a story like this would bring to a parent. 45 missing children along with 109 additional human trafficking survivors were rescued by U.S. marshals in Ohio.

Ohio Attorney General David Yost tweeted, “Operation Autumn Hope is the largest single HT operation in state history. Our goal: an Ohio where no human is bought or sold.

Our Human Trafficking task forces — local law enforcement teaming up with the state — conducted a massive statewide sting last week.

Operation Autumn Hope is the largest single HT operation in state history. Our goal: an Ohio where no human is bought or sold.

Details at 10

— Attorney General Dave Yost (@DaveYostOH) October 26, 2020

As reported by Fox News:

Yost said 76 missing and exploited children cases were cleared, including 45 “by physical recovery by the U.S. Marshals Service.” Marshals from Southern Ohio and Southern West Virginia were involved with the operation, according to a statement from the Marshals’ offices.

“Over the past five years, the USMS has recovered missing children in 75% of the cases it has received,” the Marshals statement read. “And of those recovered, 72% were recovered within seven days.”

“The Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act of 2015 enhanced the U.S. Marshals’ authority to assist federal, state and local law enforcement with the recovery of missing, endangered or abducted children, regardless of whether a fugitive or sex offender was involved.”

“Among those missing included a 15-year-old girl missing from Cleveland whose recovery linked her and other possible victims to an individual in Columbus suspected of human trafficking; a 15-year-old male with two warrants who is a suspect in multiple shootings and a homicide; and a 14-year-old girl who was reported missing by the Lancaster Police Department who was recovered in Columbus within six hours of being reported missing,” the Ohio A.G.’s office said.