CHICAGO, IL – An 13-year-old girl from Rochester, New York, missing for over a week, has been successfully rescued near Chicago by the U.S. Marshals Service. The child was found in the company of two adults without legal residency in the U.S.
The search, which spanned several states, was initiated after the National Center for Missing and Endangered Children contacted the U.S. Marshals. Charles Salinas, a marshal from New York, collaborated with his counterpart in Chicago to track down the missing girl.
The investigation revealed that the young girl had been lured from her home by an 18-year-old male. This individual, along with two other adults, drove approximately ten hours to pick her up after convincing her to leave her house.
Surveillance footage captured the girl leaving her home on September 11, entering a light-colored SUV. The Marshals Service noted that communication between the girl and the 18-year-old occurred through texting or social media, which played a significant role in her decision to leave.
Once in Chicago, the girl was reportedly being exploited by the group. Authorities highlighted the vulnerability of the young child, emphasizing that she was unable to make informed decisions about her safety.
The rescue operation also uncovered another minor at the location, raising concerns about the potential for more victims. Officials stressed the importance of releasing images of the suspects to identify any additional children who may have been affected.
The U.S. Marshals Service expressed relief at the successful recovery of the girl and reiterated their commitment to protecting vulnerable children. The head of the operation thanked all involved parties and called for vigilance in similar cases.
As the investigation continues, the authorities urge anyone with information to come forward to aid in identifying and protecting other potential victims.s