BOSTON, Mass. (WGGB/WSHM) - Federal and state authorities said they’ve safely recovered 35 missing Massachusetts children — as part of a new operation ahead of the world cup games coming to Boston.

The U.S. Marshals Service is leading “Operation Yellow Card”, a multi-agency push to find high-risk missing kids who could be targeted for human trafficking and sexual exploitation during the international tournament.

Officials said children from as far away as Georgia and Texas have been located and reunited with family or placed in protective care, and the effort has already sparked new investigations into possible kidnapping and trafficking cases.

Massachusetts State Police, Boston Police, multiple D.A.’s offices, the FBI, and child welfare agencies are all partnering on the operation, which will continue through the world cup and beyond, with authorities urging anyone who suspects a young person is in danger to call 911 immediately.

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