BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — A first-of-its-kind missing child rescue task force in the state just wrapped up its initial operation in Buffalo, partnering with local law enforcement to find over 40 missing children in Erie County.
Leaders of the National Child Protection Task Force told WIVB News 4 that Erie County has the third highest number of active missing children reports statewide, which is why it decided to start this initiative in the Queen City.
“They are a missing endangered child. They’re not a runaway. If we start labeling them properly, maybe then the resources, time, effort and energy goes into helping them properly,” said Kevin Branzetti, CEO of the National Child Protection Task force.
Branzetti and Cindy Neff, the manager of the Missing Persons Clearing House, have teamed up for years on training and helping with missing children investigations.
Nine months ago, they decided to do something bigger, partnering with 22 law enforcement entities from Erie County and beyond to provide investigative support to the Amherst and Buffalo police departments.
“Every investigator, including myself, walked away from that event with more knowledge, which means the next cases we tackle, we have more knowledge, we have more information, we have more contacts, we have more tools in our toolbox,” Branzetti said.
A total of 56 experts took on 50 separate cases of children who had run away or had been taken by their non-custodial parents.
The Amherst, Buffalo and Cheektowaga police departments, along with the Erie County sheriff’s and District Attorney’s offices, took part.
Exploring new leads, reviewing case notes and using social media helped them bring home a total of 47 missing children.
“By bringing them home, you’re also getting them out of the potential for danger, or you’re getting them out of the potential to become another victim of circumstances,” said Buffalo Police Commissioner Joseph Gramaglia.
In a statement, Acting Erie County District Attorney Michael Keane said it was a great opportunity for prosecutors to work with investigation experts. Erie County Sheriff John Garcia said collaboration is important and that this was a great service to local youth.
The newly opened Scott Bieler Child Advocacy Center at Bestself in Buffalo served as the base of operations for the task force. The center worked with social services to get support for all of the children who were found.
“It was having those child services teams in house with us to hear what’s going on to understand the background of cases,” Branzetti said. “So, information passed to them instantly.”
“These kids now have the opportunity to be referred to their runaway intervention program and get the services that they need,” Neff said.
The task force’s next stop will be in Albany. Local law enforcement said they will use this experience to further help local children return home.
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Dillon Morello is a reporter from Pittsburgh who has been part of the News 4 team since September of 2023. See more of his work here and follow him on Twitter.
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