Finding Kids Finds Predators

Finding Kids Finds Predators

In collaboration with the Fresno Police Department earlier this year, Finding Kids launched its first full-time decoy operation.

Posing as a 14 year-old girl, our Finding Kids decoy recently began communicating with a Fresno gang member, who was clearly a trafficker.  To bring him into custody, our decoy arranged an in-person encounter, leading the suspect to believe he was arriving to see a 14-year-old girl. Vice Detectives, supported by MAGEC (Multi-Agency Gang Enforcement Consortium) Intel and Tactical teams, moved in and quickly arrested him. His phone, a critical piece of evidence, was immediately secured.

From the intelligence gathered it was soon discovered that this individual had recently sold  two young Fresno teens to another trafficker in Los Angeles.  Based on the information provided by our decoy, LAPD issued a warrant for the second trafficker on charges related to the exploitation and kidnapping of two minors. An arrest was made and both juveniles were recovered and are now safe.

Since April of this 2025, 11 arrests have been attributed to the Finding Kids decoy program. None of this would have been possible without your support.

Today, predators can reach vulnerable children through phones, social media, gaming platforms, and the internet, often before families realize something is wrong. Finding Kids responds through three core programs: Recover. Care. Target. We help locate missing and exploited children, support families during and after recovery, and work with law enforcement to identify and disrupt those who exploit youth. Our work continues after a child is found because recovery is only the beginning. By combining investigations, aftercare, and prevention, we help children return safely to their homes, schools, and communities while building a future where every vulnerable child receives help before crisis becomes exploitation. We are a 501(c)(3) charitable organization and 100% of your tax-deductible donation goes directly towards keeping kids safe. We cannot do this work without your support.

*Names has been changed to protect the victim’s identity.