In a tremendous effort to find and reunite children with their families the U.S. Marshals and local law enforcement recovered 27 missing children this past week in Virginia, the Department of Justice says. An additional six children were also identified and found to be with their guardians during their latest mission, a press release added.

Over the course of five days, investigators were tracking down leads and information guiding them to these minors. The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) also provided medical professionals and experts on site.

"Operation Find Our Children" was developed by the U.S. Marshals service, police officers, detectives, special agents and many others throughout the United States. U.S. Marshal Nick E. Proffitt, speaking about their efforts, said “This operation brought together a formidable team that was, and is, determined to come to the aid of our youth and bring to justice those among us that choose to prey on these vulnerable children. Proffit added, "We want the missing children across this great nation to know the U.S. Marshals Service will never stop looking for you, we will find you.”

The Virginia Department of Social Services and medical professionals also provided 50 employees to assist with these recoveries, the release adds.

Deputy Attorney General Jeffrey A. Rosen stated, “While this Virginia operation is the most recent recovery of endangered and missing children led by the U.S. Marshals Service this year, we have also recovered more than 440 kids in Georgia, Ohio, Indiana, Louisiana and other states."

President and CEO of NCMEC John F. Clark lets it be known that sex trafficking for these children who disappear is a real concern, "... [they] are at risk of further emotional and physical harm."

The U.S. Marshals claim that in the 75 percent of cases in which they've recovered missing children, 72 percent of that total were found within a week.

Read more: US Marshals, US Department of Justice, USA Today