Human Trafficking: Hidden in Suburbia | Weekend Read

Each weekend, Patch offers up some stories worth a read.

Human Trafficking: Hidden in Suburbia

A teenage girl walking down the street in nothing but a bra and panties raised alarm bells for residents of suburban Lutz, Fla. The 13-year-old was a human trafficking victim from Maryland, brought to Florida.

Neighbors who spotted the girl wandering in nothing but her underwear on a fall day in 2010 were right to do so, officials say.

“The red flag was the neighbors,” Pacso County Sheriff’s Detective D. Boyer told Patch.

It was tips, again, that led to the arrest earlier this month of a man accused of using his home as a base of operations for human trafficking and prostitution, with at least eight victims identified. >>> Read more.

Maryland Summer Forecast: Heating Up

There's still a few more days of "May showers" in the forecast, but the story this summer is going to be temperatures that are above average in Maryland. >>> Read more.

Deadly Silicone Butt Injections Earned Man $1.5M

A man charged with first-degree after he reportedly injected a woman’s buttocks with silicone to increase their size – a procedure which a medical examiner says killed her – has pleaded guilty to lesser federal charges in exchange for dismissal of the murder charge. >>> Read more.

Amazing Pics

Weeping West Point Cadet Captures Hearts

The American dream for Haitian immigrant Alix Idrache was to serve his new country in the military. When he graduated May 21 from West Point, the U.S. Military Academy, Idrache was overcome with emotion. The deeply personal reaction resonated with people worldwide, and has its roots in Maryland. >>> See the pic.

More to Read

Stink Bugs Under Fire Across Region

In yards across Maryland, an epic battle is going on to wipe out stink bugs. And the winner isn’t people or chemicals, it’s another foe: the Chinese praying mantis. >>> Read more.

BWI Nightmare Scenario: TSA Delays as Summer Traffic Surges

More cases of long security lines at several airports across the country mean passengers using Baltimore/Washington International Airport need to build in more time to clear security as the summer travel season approaches.

Tops

• Maryland's Best 'Ice Cream Trail' Passport Challenge Begins
• 2 Annapolis Restaurants Make Best Seafood Dives List
• 10 Maryland Students in 2016 Scripps National Spelling Bee

Tips

• Bay Bridge: When to Travel, Real-Time Traffic Updates

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