In an incredible display of commitment to helping the least of these, former NFL quarterback Tim Tebow has worked tirelessly to combat human trafficking, partnering with the National Child Protection Task Force (NCPTF) to save 71 missing and runaway children from horrific situations in New York.
For context, in an Instagram post from May 5, 2025, Tebow announced that a successful investigation had led to the return of 71 children, all of whom were reported missing as runaways, to safety after many of them were trapped in dangerous circumstances and in desperate need of help. Tebow explained that he had worked with multiple law enforcement agencies, as well as nonprofits, to complete the investigation.
Writing on Instagram, Tebow explained the success of the investigation, saying, “So grateful that 71 missing and endangered children have been identified and are safe!” “So often when children run away, they don’t know the danger they’re running into — trafficking, exploitation, drugs, violence, criminalization.” He added, “It’s critical we find them, and find them fast.”
Continuing his explanation of the life-saving work, Tebow wrote, “This first-ever Capital Region Missing Child Rescue Operation resulted in the location of 71 children reported missing as runaways to police in Albany, Schenectady, and Troy.” He added, “We are grateful for the opportunity to support our partner, the National Child Protection Task Force (NCPTF), as they teamed up with the New York State Missing Persons Clearinghouse and a coalition of local, state, and federal partners—as well as private sector organizations—to launch this operation.”
In addition, Tebow explained that the investigation was a team effort that “brought together more than 60 local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies, nonprofit organizations, and private partners to collaborate and provide critical investigative support.” He continued, “During the three-day operation, partners worked to explore new leads, review case notes, and leverage technology to find children who are at risk of endangerment, exploitation, and harm.”
Adding to Tebow’s statement, Kevin Branzetti, the CEO and co-founder of the National Child Protection Task Force, wrote, “At NCPTF, our commitment is simple: Find. Listen. Help. Every missing child is at risk, regardless of how they are classified—runaway, abducted, or missing. And every child deserves urgency, care, and action.”
The investigation concluded not long after Tebow went to Capitol Hill to acquire support for the Renewed Hope Act of 2024, which vied for an increase in personnel working within the Department of Homeland Security’s Victim Identification Laboratory, which is part of the agency’s Child Exploitation Investigations Unit.
In a September 10, 2024, Instagram post explaining the Renewed Hope Act, Tebow said, I believe the ‘Renewed Hope Act of 2024’ to combat child sexual exploitation is going to do just that: give hope to kids, to protect them, to love them, and to show them faith, hope, and love in their darkest hour of need.” He added, “Those are all boys and girls that are made in the image of God that are going through torture.”
Watch Tebow give a moving testimony about his work:
Featured image credit: screengrab from the embedded video