COLUMBUS – Columbus Division of Police are reporting that they have saved a 14-year-old from a human trafficking situation.
According to the Columbus Division of Police, the Central Ohio Human Trafficking Task Force received multiple tips regarding a 14-year-old Columbus female who was possibly being human trafficked in 2021, but detectives were unable to confirm any of the information until a recent development.
The juvenile’s grandmother filed a missing persons report with Columbus Police on November 9, 2021. Officer Charles Radich, a detective with CPD’s Missing Persons Unit, obtained information that the missing teen was in the Detroit suburb of Southfield, Michigan and potentially being human trafficked. Det. Radich notified the Southfield Police Department and the Central Ohio Human Trafficking Task Force to report the information and obtain assistance.
With the assistance of the Federal Bureau of Investigations Detroit Human Trafficking Task Force, on November 22, 2021, officers were able to locate the missing teen at a Southfield area hotel.
Hundreds of sex advertisements for the missing girl were also found posted on illicit websites.
A 30-year-old male from Texas was identified in connection with this case. Charges are pending.
The victim has been reunited with family and is receiving assistance.
