Investigators from the Chicago Police Department’s (CPD) Youth and Special Victims Support Division and the United States Marshals Service (USMS) fanned out across Chicago this spring for a special mission: Operation Safe Return Chicago, which resulted in 30 juveniles reported missing being safely located.  

Operation Safe Return Chicago was conducted between May 14, 2026 and May 24, 2026 and focused on both locating high-risk missing juveniles through specialized investigations and preventing future missing persons incidents through proactive efforts.  

At the start of the operation, detectives met with those who filed missing persons reports, including family members of the missing individuals. These conversations were important to the investigation, but also an opportunity to remind the loved ones of the missing juveniles that they were supported and that the investigations were being taken seriously, no matter how much time had passed. 

Detectives reviewed dozens of cases and leveraged modern investigative resources to help locate the missing juveniles. The Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Unit played a crucial role in these investigations by combing through digital forensic evidence and open-source social media. This evidence helped provide leads that led to the location of these high-risk missing juveniles.  

In total, more than 65% of the cases reviewed by detectives as part of this operation resulted in a juvenile being safely located. The average age of the missing juveniles located was just 15 years old.   

Locating each missing juvenile was just one part of CPD’s comprehensive response to these missing persons cases. After being located, investigators worked to reconnect the juveniles with their families and coordinate specialized services through the Department of Child and Family Services, medical providers, victim advocates and community partners. Throughout this operation, investigators worked to build trust with both those who reported the juveniles missing and the located juveniles.  

“Operation Safe Return Chicago emphasizes not only our commitment to bringing a resolution in open missing persons cases, but it highlights the support we must provide to both the individuals reported missing and their families,” said Chief of Detectives Antoinette Ursitti. “This operation highlights the relentless work of our Youth and Special Victims Support Division, alongside our partners at the United States Marshals Service, to ensure the missing juveniles are not only found, but are provided the support they need as they reunite with their loved ones.” 

This operation was the result of strong internal collaboration within CPD’s Youth and Special Victims Support Division, which includes the Special Investigations Unit, Missing Persons Section, Criminal Registration Unit, and external partnership with the United States Marshals Service. The sharing of resources and information was crucial in developing leads and ultimately, locating the juveniles who were reported missing.  

The Chicago Police Department asks for community assistance in active missing persons investigations. If you have any information that can help located any of the missing individuals listed HERE, please contact the CPD Detective Area listed on each report.  

More information on CPD’s policies and procedures for Missing/Found Persons can be located HERE.