NEW: More than two dozen endangered children including 7 in Southwest Virginia rescued in federal operation

A total of 27 missing or endangered children have been recovered by US Marshals including seven rescue discoveries in Southwest Virginia.

A report from the Justice Department said the investigation included more than 60 law enforcement officers along with special agents that formed a special team in the search that was dubbed Operation Save Our Children.

U.S. Marshals Operation Results in Recovery of 27 Missing Children in Virginia https://t.co/JlcoND20jv

— Justice Department (@TheJusticeDept) October 30, 2020

Officials said most of the children were found in Virginia’s major metropolitan areas but seven were found within the state’s Western District that includes territories in Abingdon and Roanoke. A percentage of the victims were involved in human trafficking.

More than 440 children have been rescued by federal forces in several states this year.

(LOGO: USDOJ)