HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- Three people, including two Kingwood-area
residents, have been arrested following the discovery of a missing
15-year-old girl from the Houston area.
According to law
enforcement officials, the teen was a victim of sex trafficking. She was
found in the small town of Bunkie, Louisiana, located just southeast of
Alexandria. Police said an officer from the Bunkie Police Department
was conducting a traffic stop when the teen was found in the car.
READ MORE: 15-year-old from Houston rescued from sex trafficking during traffic stop in LouisianaInvestigators
said the teen was being sexually exploited and was being transported
for the purposes of human trafficking from the Houston area.
The
investigation led to the arrest of 24-year old Terry Williams and
25-year old Infiniti Williams of Kingwood along with 21-year old Areona
Adroin from Alexandria.
The case has now added another victim to a
growing statistic in the state of Texas. Data shows there are at least
79,000 minors who are victims of sex trafficking. There are currently an
estimated 313,000 victims of human trafficking in Texas, according to
trafficking rescue groups.
Studies
also show minor and youth trafficking costs the state at least $6.6
billion a year. All three suspects were charged with human trafficking
and contributing to the delinquency of a juvenile.
If you would like to report a case of suspected human trafficking,
visit the state's website.