Florida law enforcement agencies pulled 163 missing children — ranging in age from 2 months to 17 years old — out of trafficking, abuse and exploitation situations during a five-day statewide sweep officials are calling the largest child-recovery operation in the state's history.

"Operation Statewide Shield," led by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement alongside a multi-agency task force that included the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office and the Lee County Sheriff's Office, recovered children in cities across the state: 46 in the Tampa Bay area, 41 in Miami, 32 in Jacksonville, 21 in Orlando, 12 in Fort Myers, 8 in Pensacola and 3 in Tallahassee, according to FOX 13 Tampa Bay.

A Reach Well Beyond Florida

The operation's footprint extended far past state lines. Investigators say children were also recovered in six other U.S. states and Puerto Rico, as well as in a dozen foreign countries — Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Dominica, Finland, Ghana, Guatemala, Italy, Jamaica, Mexico, Spain and Taiwan — underscoring how far trafficking and custody-interference networks can move a missing child in a short time. Officials say many of the children recovered were victims of human trafficking and had suffered abuse, neglect or exploitation.

The operation produced three arrests so far, with investigators signaling more charges are likely. Jacksonville's Michael Prescott faces three counts of lewd or lascivious acts with a minor along with felony battery, aggravated assault and interference with child custody. In Lee County, Robert Ferral Allison was charged with lewd or lascivious battery involving a victim between 12 and 16 years old. A third suspect, Jayden Allen Harwood, faces charges of interference in a child custody case and resisting officers.

PROSECUTORS SAY THEY WILL SEEK THE MAXIMUM PENALTIES AVAILABLE — WHICH, UNDER FLORIDA LAW, CAN INCLUDE THE DEATH PENALTY FOR THE MOST SEVERE CHILD SEX OFFENSES.

As children were located, they were routed to specialized support hubs staffed by social workers, child-welfare professionals, medical providers and victim advocates, rather than directly into the court or juvenile system, officials said.

What's Next

FDLE says the investigation remains active and additional arrests are expected as detectives continue working through leads generated during the five-day sweep. The agency has not said whether Operation Statewide Shield will become a recurring initiative, though officials touted it as a model for future multi-agency recovery efforts.