Girl, 15, Rescued From Human Traffickers After Fleeing Group Home In Long Beach

LONG BEACH, CA — A 15-year-old girl who was a victim of human trafficking was rescued last month in Long Beach, according to authorities.

The teen had run away from a group home, and afterward met with multiple men who sexually assaulted her, according to the Long Beach Police Department.

Officers responded to a motel in the 5300 block of Atlantic Avenue on Wednesday, Aug. 20, after receiving a call about possible human trafficking, police said. There, officers found the runaway girl, according to authorities.

“The trafficking of a child can have devastating and often enduring traumatic effects,” Long Beach Chief of Police Wally Hebeish said in a statement Wednesday afternoon. “I am extremely grateful to the officers who rescued this young girl and commend the detectives who are diligently working to identify, locate, and arrest any individuals involved in the trafficking of this child."

The girl was connected afterward with "necessary resources," police said. It's unclear exactly what those resources were.

No arrests were made, and police are still looking into the identity of the men who are suspected of sexually assaulting the teen.

"The Long Beach Police Department remains resolute in our commitment to eradicating human trafficking from our community," Chief Hebeish said.

The LBPD asks that anyone who has more information related to the human trafficking of the teen, or anyone aware of any similar incidents, contact the societal crimes section at 562-570-7221. Anyone wishing to remain anonymous can submit tips through "LA Crime Stoppers" by calling 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), downloading the "P3 TIPS" app to your smartphone (available at the Apple App Store and Google Play), or visiting www.LACrimeStoppers.org.