Kevin Branzetti is the Co-Founder & CEO of the National Child Protection Task Force. With 29 years of law enforcement expertise, including leading cyber-crime and terrorism investigations with the NYPD and Manhattan DA's Office, Kevin's leadership helps law enforcement advance child-focused cases with innovative, trauma-informed solutions.
In every city across America, there are children who have been missing for months. In some places, the number is in the dozens; in others, it’s in the hundreds.
Despite valiant efforts by law enforcement and child protection agencies, resources are stretched too thin, and many cases tragically go cold. But we can never lose sight of what's at stake— these are children.
That's why the National Child Protection Task Force (NCPTF), in partnership with the New York State Missing Persons Clearinghouse and a coalition of local, state, and federal partners, as well as private sector organizations, launched the first-ever Missing Child Rescue Event in Buffalo, New York.
Our goal when we arrived to Buffalo was to unite agencies and experts in the same room for three days to focus on 25 missing child investigations. What happened exceeded even our own expectations— we tackled 50 cases and resolved over 90% of them.
But I’ll admit— the event didn’t start with excitement. It began with skepticism, I understand this firsthand because I was that skeptic.
With 29 years of law enforcement experience, I’ve seen my share of joint operations, and I’ve walked into many of them with low expectations. There are barriers of mistrust, silos, and skepticism that have existed for generations of law enforcement— an unspoken divide that has felt ingrained in the culture. “We’re the feds, and we’re here to help” is a cliché that still gets an eye-roll and a cringe from many.
So, why did I think this would be any different? Well, since founding NCPTF, we’ve built a model that works, and we’ve proven it. We don’t take over– that’s never been the point. We partner with law enforcement, empowering the agencies that are already on the ground. We give them the resources they need, breaking down silos, and creating a space where real-time collaboration happens. We’ve seen it succeed before, but with 25 cases in three days? That was still a bold goal.
1️⃣ Tuesday: Day One
When dozens of investigators arrived on the first day, I recognized that familiar look on their faces— the one that says, “Why am I here?” But after a brief presentation by a social media company and the formation of mixed teams, the real work began.
It didn’t take long for the first three cases to be solved. No grand speeches, no forced excitement— but I noticed a shift. People started to sit up straighter, heads turned with curiosity. Skepticism gave way to cautious optimism.
Then, someone called out, “We have one!” For the first time, cheers erupted throughout the room. Momentum was building.
By lunch, the energy had shifted. Investigators who were strangers just a few hours earlier were now discussing cases enthusiastically as a team. After the break, another child was located, and the cheers grew louder. Each team gave a rundown of their progress at the end of the day, and what struck me most was that no one was focused on individual glory— it was all about the team effort. Shoutouts were given for solved cases and kids found.
On our first day, nine kids had been located. Nine!
Photo by NYS DCJS
2️⃣ Wednesday: Day Two
Wednesday morning, the energy in the room was electric. People arrived early, eager to start working. We hadn’t even officially started for the day when the first child was located. Cheers erupted across the room.
And then things got even more intense.
We uncovered cases involving trafficking and abuse—cases that required immediate action. Team members were sprinting across the room, sharing information, and offering support.
One case, in particular, hit hard: a joint team of city, county, and state officers worked together to locate a child and her alleged abuser. When they returned to the room after locating the child, the emotion was palpable. Watching those investigators hug each other, I was reminded of how deeply this work impacts everyone involved.
Teams of law enforcement, advocates, and children and family services worked tirelessly to find solutions for located children, ensuring that our response wasn't just helping locate kids, but centered on helping make meaningful, long-term impact in the life of each individual child.
By the end of the day on Wednesday, it was clear to everyone involved that something remarkable was unfolding.
By the end of the day, 23 kids had been located. There was a shift in the room— this wasn’t just work. It felt personal for everyone involved.
3️⃣ Thursday: Day Three
By Thursday, the process was like a well-oiled machine. Announcements of located kids came in steadily throughout the day. Investigators were still working leads late into the night. The entire week had been a whirlwind of activity— no one slowing to process the full impact of what we were doing.
When we left the room on the last day, forty missing kids had been located.
And before most of us even made it home, that number rose to 41. The remaining cases continue to unfold, and the final number will keep growing as investigators remain on the trail. Even now, I hesitate to name a final number of how many children have been located, as the teams are still working, not just on the 50 cases but also on new ones.
A Moment of Personal Reflection
I’ve had many proud moments in my career, but being part of this event was uniquely powerful for me. The camaraderie, the shared purpose— what we accomplished together was something I’ll never forget. Every person in that room played a role in something remarkable, and the lives we changed are proof of what can happen when we break down barriers and come together.
This new approach is already transforming how law enforcement handles complex missing child cases, with incredible results. This operation was proof that, with the right tools, support, and people at the table, incredible things can happen for our most vulnerable kids.
Buffalo wasn’t just a success. It was a game changer. It showed us all what’s possible when we collaborate the right way. It improved the way we all work and most importantly, restored safety for missing children.
For those still missing, we won’t stop searching.
Did you know?
At the National Child Protection Task Force (NCPTF), our mission to recover missing children and protect vulnerable kids across the country relies on powerful partnerships. One of the most vital partnerships we have is with the New York State Missing Persons Clearinghouse. Housed within the Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS), the Clearinghouse provides critical support to our efforts to locate and recover missing children, particularly in high-stakes cases.
Why is this partnership so important? The Clearinghouse serves as a backbone for law enforcement across New York state, offering essential training, coordinating multi-agency investigations, and managing statewide crime data. Their expertise extends far beyond missing persons cases— they ensure law enforcement has the tools, resources, and information needed to respond quickly and effectively.
By partnering with the Clearinghouse, NCPTF is able to tap into their resources and expertise, allowing us to work collaboratively in cases where time is of the essence. Cindy Neff and her team have been instrumental in ensuring that even the most complex investigations can move forward with speed and accuracy, giving vulnerable children across New York a better chance of being found and protected.
This partnership reinforces that together, we are stronger in our shared mission to protect the most vulnerable among us. It’s more than a collaboration— it’s a lifeline for children in need, and we are proud to work side by side in New York with the DCJS and the Missing Persons Clearinghouse.
BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB)
October 15, 2024
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.
BUFFALO, N.Y. (Spectrum One)
October 16, 2024
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.
