OLYMPIA, Wash. — A child reported missing out of Mesa, Arizona, in May has been found safe in Olympia.
On June 18, the U.S. Marshals received information from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children that the child was potentially being sex trafficked within Washington state.
During the investigation, a U.S. Marshal discovered the child was at a 20-acre encampment in Olympia commonly referred to as “The Jungle,” an area that has gained notoriety for its crime rate and safety concerns.
On June 25, the U.S. Marshals and the Department of Corrections canvassed the area and found the juvenile.
She was handed over to the Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) for victim assistance.
It’s unclear how old the child is.
There were two teens reported missing out of Mesa back in May through the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, though it’s unclear if either of them was the one found in Seattle.
“Protecting our nation’s children is of the highest importance,” said Donrien Stephens, Acting U.S. Marshal for the Western District of Washington. “The excellent investigative efforts, collaboration, and persistence of our local, state, and community partners led to the safe recovery of a youth with an elevated risk of human trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation.”
The U.S. Marshals did not specify if the child was trafficked or abducted.
According to a new release, the investigation led them to a 30-acre homeless camp along Martin Way East.
“It is absolute insanity to think that there’s a child out there,” Maurice Bouchet told KIRO 7 News. Bouchet said he was working in a shop near the sprawling camp when federal agents asked him if he’d seen the missing girl.
“There were like five U.S. Marshals here. One of them gave me a business card, showed me a picture, and mentioned her name.”
Marshals searched the camp with help from the Washington Corrections Department and found the girl there on Thursday, according to a press release from the U.S. Marshals Office.
“Protecting our nation’s children is of the highest importance,” said Donrien Stephens, acting U.S. Marshal for the Western District of Washington, in a statement.
According to the press release, since 2015, the U.S. Marshals have helped find 5,281 missing children.
While details from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children were not disclosed, Jim Fuda of Crime Stoppers told KIRO 7 News there are general signs that can indicate someone is being trafficked.
“Do they appear to be on their own? Are they in the company of someone who’s older than them? Is someone controlling their money? Are they staying in a hotel? Are they hanging out in areas that would be known for prostitution?” Fuda said.
If prostitution is happening in the camp, Bouchet said he wouldn’t be surprised. “Nothing surprises me anymore, but as I mentioned before, it has progressively gotten worse every summer.”
If you think someone is being sex trafficked, call 9-1-1.