Missing Riverside Girl Rescued from Human Trafficking in San Bernardino

SAN BERNARDINO, Ca. – A 17-year-old Riverside girl was rescued from the commercialized sex industry earlier this week.

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The teen was reported as an at-risk missing juvenile and authorities had information that the juvenile may have been in downtown San Bernardino and involved in human trafficking. On August 13, 2019, at around 12:00 p.m. investigators from the San Bernardino County Human Trafficking Task Force were contacted by an investigator from the Riverside County Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force, were requested to provide assistance to the investigation.

San Bernardino County Human Trafficking investigators began searching throughout the downtown area. They received information leading them to the intersection of Rialto Avenue and E Street. A female matching the description of the missing juvenile was noticed sitting in the vehicle in a parking lot. Investigators made contact with the victim and confirmed she was the teen missing from Riverside. She was transported to the Sheriff’s Central Station in San Bernardino for additional interview.

The teen confirmed that she was, in fact, victimized through commercial sexual exploitation. She was provided with referrals to services before she was returned to her family. Authorities have still not been able to identify or locate the suspect(s) involved in her exploitation. The investigation is ongoing.

Anyone wishing to report activities or concerns related to Human Trafficking to the San Bernardino County Human Trafficking Task Force, can do so directly by calling (909) 387-8400 or by Email at humantrafficking@sbcsd.org. Anyone wishing to remain anonymous may contact We-Tip at 1-888-78-CRIME or you may leave information on the WE-Tip Hotline at www.wetip.com.