FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 14, 2026

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Florida’s missing children were the focus of Monday’s 28^th Annual Florida Missing Children’s Day Ceremony in Tallahassee. The event is held to remember Florida’s missing children, recognize the state’s efforts in child protection and educate Floridians on child safety and abduction prevention.

Florida’s Missing Endangered Persons Information Clearinghouse (MEPIC) opened within FDLE 43 years ago and was the first clearinghouse of its kind in the nation. Since its inception, MEPIC has assisted law enforcement and citizens in finding missing persons. MEPIC provides analytical services and engages the public in the search for missing endangered children and missing endangered persons with alerts designed for multiple conditions and a repository of flyers for missing persons.

Last year, statewide, MEPIC issued 81 Missing Child Alerts and 7 AMBER Alerts. As of today, 100 percent of AMBER Alerts and nearly 97 percent of all Missing Child Alerts issued in 2025 have resulted in the safe recovery of the children.

Last year also saw the implementation of the Spectrum Alert, designed to mobilize the community to assist in locating and ensuring the safe recovery of missing children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). 

FDLE Commissioner Mark Glass said, "Each missing child represents a family waiting for answers, and we stand with them every step of the way. Today’s ceremony stands to honor the memories of those missing and support the families who continue to carry hope.”

During a formal ceremony, FDLE recognized citizens, canine trailing teams and law enforcement officers for their exemplary efforts in investigations protecting children.

The following individuals are recipients of the 2026 Florida Missing Children’s Day Awards:

Commissioner’s Award

Dr. Katherine Gomez, PhD, Florida Department of Juvenile Justice

In 2025, Dr. Gomez played a critical leadership role in three major operations focused on locating and protecting missing and endangered children. During Operation Dragon Eye, she helped lead a two‑week effort that resulted in the safe recovery of 60 children across the Tampa Bay region and the arrest of individuals involved in trafficking and child endangerment. Later that year, she again served in a critical role for Operation Home for the Holidays, recovering 122 missing children across multiple states. In December, during Operation Northern Lights, a multi‑agency effort that brought 43 vulnerable youth to safety across three states and ensured each received essential recovery services. Throughout these operations, Dr. Gomez demonstrated exceptional dedication, leadership, and unwavering commitment to protecting the most vulnerable among us.

Evelyn Williams Memorial Award

Special Agent Supervisor Ritchie Kaplan & K-9 Layla, FDLE Tampa Bay

In April of 2026, SAS Kaplan and Layla responded to an assistance request from Tampa Police Department regarding serving an Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) search warrant. Together, SAS Kaplan and K-9 Layla located multiple hidden digital devices that proved critical to the investigation. These discoveries led detectives to significant evidence of long-term criminal activity. As a direct result of their efforts, the Tampa Police Department arrested the suspect, who was charged with 100 counts related to the possession and solicitation of illegal material. Their teamwork, expertise, and attention to detail were instrumental in bringing this individual into custody and protecting the community.

John and Revé Walsh Award

Orange County Sheriff’s Office: Sergeant Canh Bui, Detective Crystal Patterson, Detective Anthony Corso, Investigative Analyst Madeline Lopez

Florida Department of Children and Families: Criminal Justice Coordinator Michaela Darty

United States Marshals Service: Deputy U.S. Marshal Kailee Healey

In February of 2026, the Orange County Sheriff’s Office Domestic Violence Squad led a multidisciplinary initiative known as “Operation Cupid’s Arrow.” Units within the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, the Florida Department of Children and Families, the United States Marshals Service, and the National Child Protection Task Force worked on a unified mission to locate and recover critically missing and endangered children.

Local Law Enforcement Officers of the Year Award

Detective Rachel Hunter, St. Petersburg Police Department

While supporting the U.S. Marshals Service’s Operation Home for the Holidays, Detective Hunter uncovered intelligence that a 14-year-old juvenile had run away from an unstable home in 2025, and was in St. Petersburg in immediate danger. She coordinated resources without delay and located the victim the same day, ensuring her safety and medical care.

Detective Hunter then led three complex, months long investigations to identify the network of offenders responsible. Through careful review of evidence, trauma informed interviewing, collaboration with federal partners, and thorough corroboration of disclosures, she successfully mapped the individuals who preyed on the juvenile.

Federal Law Enforcement Officer of the Year Award

Assistant Field Office Director Alvin L. Vincent, Department of Homeland Security/Immigration and Customs Enforcement/Enforcement and Removal Operations

Detention and Deportation Officer William Talaera, Department of Homeland Security/Immigration and Customs Enforcement/Enforcement and Removal Operations

From November 2025 to April 2026, the combined ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Miami Field Office and Headquarters team demonstrated exceptional partnership with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement during an Unaccompanied Alien Children initiative, also known as Operation LOCATE. This effort showed outstanding interagency coordination from the state and federal levels and a shared commitment to public safety. Together, the teams located 62% of the children, well above any other operation like this nationally. This months-long operation located 408 children who had come across the open border, placed with sponsors, many with strangers, and never checked on, in more than five years.

The accomplishment reflects the dedication, professionalism, and effectiveness of both ICE/ERO and FDLE in safeguarding vulnerable children and strengthening accountability. Their collective work made a meaningful and measurable impact on the safety and well-being of communities across Florida.

Law Enforcement Task Force/Team of the Year

Florida Highway Patrol: Sergeant Richard K. Norris, Trooper Adrian Myers

Liberty County Sheriff’s Office: Lieutenant William Buckhalt, Sergeant Robert Livingston, Deputy Wesley Tharpe

On August 3, 2025, a citizen recognized a vehicle connected to an active AMBER Alert out of Georgia and immediately notified the Liberty County Sheriff’s Office. Their real time updates allowed deputies to locate the suspect, who fled and initiated a chase through rural areas. Florida Highway Patrol troopers joined the pursuit, and once officers confirmed that a seven-month-old infant was inside the vehicle, they adjusted tactics to protect the child. At an intersection, Trooper Adrian Myers executed a controlled PIT maneuver, safely stopping the suspect’s vehicle. When the suspect became aggressive and attempted self-harm, Lieutenant William Buckhalt and Sergeant Robert Livingston acted swiftly, disarming him and bringing the situation under control. Although the suspect briefly ran into a wooded area, he was quickly apprehended. The abducted infant was found unharmed, evaluated by EMS, and reunited with family.

Combating Human Trafficking Award

FDLE Special Agent Douglas Patterson & Green Cove Springs Police Detective Cora Milliken

Detective Milliken and Special Agent Patterson demonstrated exceptional teamwork and determination in a child exploitation investigation. Together, they discovered that a Rhode Island suspect, J. Adkins, had manipulated the 16-year-old victim for months and was actively distributing illegal content while out on bond for prior offenses. They executed search warrants, coordinated with Rhode Island authorities, and secured 15 felony charges in Florida. Their investigation led them to Rhode Island, where they arrested the suspect on Feb. 3, 2026, and conducted a search of his residence. He was swiftly extradited to Florida to face charges.

Jimmy Ryce Trailing Team of the Year

Deputy Coleman “Ryan” O’Gara & K-9 Hank, Highlands County Sheriff’s Office

On Jan. 5, 2026, Deputy O’Gara and K-9 Hank responded to a critical missing juvenile case in Avon Park, Florida. The 16-year-old, who suffered from severe mental health disorders and suspected autism spectrum disorder, had been missing for approximately 90 minutes. After collecting a scent article and establishing a direction of travel, K-9 Hank tracked through multiple streets, a dead-end, sugar sand, and a large open field before entering a wooded area. There, Hank located the juvenile lying against a tree, unharmed. The one-mile track demonstrated Hank’s exceptional drive and Deputy O’Gara’s expert handling.

Citizen of the Year

Mr. Franz Lerch, Duval County Public Schools

On April 2, 2026, Mr. Franz Lerch was accompanying his kindergarten students on a field trip to the Jacksonville Zoo. When a semi-truck rear-ended their school bus, Mr. Lerch acted without hesitation, immediately instructing another teacher to begin evacuating the students who were able to exit safely. After helping one student who was trapped by his seatbelt, Mr. Lerch continued to comfort the frightened students and coordinate with first responders, all while keeping parents updated on the incident. Mr. Lerch’s leadership and courage exemplify the highest standards of service, putting students first in every moment of crisis.

School Bus Operator of the Year

Ms. Ann Tatum, Duval County Public Schools

On April 2, 2026, Bus 479 was rear-ended by a semi-truck while transporting 34 kindergarten students and two chaperones to the Jacksonville Zoo. The impact caused the semi to jackknife into the rear driver’s side of the bus, pinning two students and injuring four others who required hospital transport.

Ms. Ann Tatum, who was just certified as a bus driver in November of 2025, demonstrated exceptional composure and professionalism. She immediately contacted dispatch, provided continuous updates, and ensured emergency responders received accurate information. Throughout the crisis, she kept students calm, monitored their conditions, and stayed with the bus until firefighters completed the extraction of the trapped children. Ms. Tatum’s steady leadership, adherence to training, and unwavering focus on student safety directly contributed to the orderly management of a traumatic event.

Maple Everyday Hero

Deputy Tony Sun & K-9 Ziva, Broward Sheriff’s Office 

K-9 Deputy Tony Sun and K-9 Ziva demonstrated exceptional trailing skill, rapid response, and unwavering dedication in two critical cases, successfully locating and recovering 2 endangered juveniles.

To see a current list of AMBER Alert cases, please visit: http://www.fdle.state.fl.us/MCICSearch/CurrentAlerts.asp 

A current list of Missing Child Alert cases can be found here: http://www.fdle.state.fl.us/MCICSearch/CurrentMCAlerts.asp 

We invite the public to follow FDLE on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, and sign up to receive Missing Child and AMBER Alerts through email or text message by visiting www.missingchildrenalert.com.

For more information about the Florida Missing Children’s Day Foundation, visit www.fmcdf.org.

For Further Information Contact:

FDLE Office of Public Information

Info@fdle.state.fl.us