A Decade of Impact
Celebrating 10 Years of Hope and Freedom
Saved in America’s First Successful Recovery
This December, we celebrate the 10-year anniversary of Saved in America (SIA), a California-based non-profit organization made up of former police officers, Navy SEALs, and Military Special Operators who have become licensed and insured private investigators. For the past decade, our passionate team has worked relentlessly to prevent child trafficking and reunite missing children with their families—at no cost to the parents or guardians.
A Mission Born From Compassion and Resolve
Saved in America’s story began with a poignant call to action, sparked by accounts of missing children—like Brittanee Drexel—who tragically never returned home. In December 2014, responding to these urgent needs, SIA was officially formed. Inspired by the words of Isaiah 6:8—“Here am I. Send me!”—our founder, Pastor Joseph A. Travers, assembled a team of volunteer operators dedicated to protecting vulnerable children. Their early efforts set a powerful precedent, establishing the tone and mission that continue to guide every aspect of our work today.
SIA’s unique model combines three core principles:
No Charge to Families: We never charge parents or guardians to find their children.
Fully Volunteer Operatives: Our team members—many who have served our nation in uniform—give their time and expertise freely.
Professional Expertise: Our operators are licensed, insured private investigators with backgrounds in Navy SEAL teams, Marine Recon, law enforcement, and other specialized fields.
The First Operation: Abby’s Rescue on December 12, 2014
Ten years ago, on December 12, 2014, Saved in America conducted its very first operation. That day, volunteer operators embarked on a mission to find and recover a 15-year-old girl, “Abby,” who had fallen under the influence of a local gang trafficking underage girls in Oceanside, California. Abby, just a child, had been lured into a dark world that exploited her youth and innocence. She had been involved with members of the Deep Valley Crips, known for trafficking underage girls, and had been dancing in a local nightclub well below the legal age.
With the trust of Abby’s mother and the coordination of local law enforcement and probation officers, SIA conducted interviews, gathered intelligence, and secured the crucial support and funding to carry out a safe, strategic operation. Two retired Navy SEAL Master Chiefs, two additional retired SEALs, a Judge Pro Tem, licensed private investigators—all retired law enforcement—and a retired District Attorney Investigator formed the core of the volunteer team. They worked in seamless collaboration, supported by the FBI, local law enforcement, the Probation Department, and a civilian support team.
On that December evening, the team successfully located Abby, ensuring her safe recovery. Abby was immediately placed into a rehabilitation program with a partner organization, FACESS, in a secure location north of Sacramento. There, she could begin the long process of healing and reclaiming her future.
A Decade of Impact and Growth
In the ten years since Abby’s recovery, Saved in America has grown significantly. We have assisted in the rescue of more than 270 children across the country. Our methods—focusing on locating runaways and missing kids before they can be trafficked—have helped guide law enforcement agencies, private investigator associations, and military commands nationwide. By teaching others these strategies, SIA has amplified its reach, contributing to a nationwide movement against child exploitation.
We couldn’t have reached this ten-year milestone without the countless hours of work from our volunteer operators, the unwavering support of families, donors, and partner organizations, and the cooperation of law enforcement and community allies. The resilience of survivors, like Abby, who have found their way out of exploitation, continues to motivate and guide our mission.
Celebrate With Us—Join Our Mission
As we look back at a decade of lifesaving work, we invite you to stand with us and help protect the next generation of children. Your support, no matter how large or small, can make a critical difference in bringing missing children home and ensuring their safe futures.
Donate: Consider making a contribution to support our ongoing operations. Your donation directly funds investigations, searches, recovery missions, and the rehabilitation of survivors. Click here to donate.
Spread the Word: Share our story with friends, family, and colleagues. Awareness is a powerful tool in preventing exploitation.
Need Our Help? If you know someone in need of assistance or if you suspect a child is missing or being exploited, please don’t hesitate. Visit our Need Our Help page or call us at 760.348.8808. We are here to help, free of charge.
Look back at one of our first videos documenting our work:
Looking to the Future
As we reflect on ten years since that first, life-changing mission, we recognize that our work is far from over. Child trafficking and exploitation remain heartbreaking realities in communities nationwide. But with the dedicated support of individuals, organizations, and law enforcement partners, we will continue to answer the call: “Here am I! Send me.”
Over the past decade, our efforts have expanded far beyond that first successful recovery. Today, we are proud to have helped recover nearly 300 missing children across the United States, each a story of hope and healing. With every child brought back home, we provide ongoing rehabilitation, cost-free therapy, and pathways to restored futures. Beyond direct rescue operations, we now educate the public through newsletters, blogs, coloring books for kids, and our newly launched comic book series. We also engage with communities through outreach events like National Night Out and our annual fundraiser, while continuing to train law enforcement teams nationwide. Looking ahead, we remain committed to saving and transforming lives, but we need your support to make it happen. With your donations, we can reach even more children, spread awareness further, and empower communities to stand against child trafficking—together, we are stronger, and the next ten years of impact will be even greater.
Together, we can ensure that more children like Abby find hope, safety, and the chance to live their lives free from the chains of exploitation. Thank you for supporting Saved in America, celebrating our past accomplishments, and joining us as we press forward into the next decade and beyond.
#ChildSavedNotSold