Long Beach Police Recover Missing 14-Year-Old, Launch Human Trafficking Investigation

Overview

• Police said they located the girl in Los Angeles within hours of receiving Friday's missing-person report.
• Officers returned her to Long Beach, where Los Angeles County child welfare officials assumed custody to arrange her return home.
• Authorities described the case as a possible human trafficking situation but did not detail the evidence behind that assessment.
• No arrests have been announced, and investigators are pursuing leads to identify any parties responsible.
• Chief Wally Hebeish praised detectives for the recovery and pledged to use all available resources to protect exploited children.