NSMR- Human Trafficking
We had a scary event Saturday night.
DD15 had a softball tournament about an hour and half from home. Most of the team decided to stay at a hotel since we play Saturday and Sunday. Well, after the games Saturday some of the parents and girls went to go hang out at the pool, around 7:30pm. DD, DH and I went down too.
We were all having fun, but then a dude (mid 20's, all tatt'ed all over, shaky just super sketchy looking) showed up with 3 young girls. One probably 7/8, 11ish and 14ish. These girls were all different races and there was just no way they were related. They got in the pool and were playing around, but it was super inappropriate the way he was touching them. Keep in mind we are hanging out with our girls- all 15-18. Volley ball, Monkey fights, daughters trying to choke out their dads, these are softball girls LOL- we were not a mild crew. But this was just woah.
He also kept getting out of the pool, making calls and looking at them. It was just over the top. Between that, the touching and the tweaker scratching and random push ups around the pool, it was too much.
I get out after a little while and ask DH if he noticed anything. His word "You mean the human trafficker over there? Yeah. I see it." I ask another mom, she said she feels so uncomfortable, what do we do?. I ask a 3rd mom- pretty much same response.
That's it. I call 9-1-1. The cops show up about 10 mins later. As soon as they pull up, dude grabs he keys wallet and phone and bolts.
He left those girls with no hesitation.
I really just want to remind everyone that if you feel uncomfortable, say something. If I was wrong it would have been awkward but it would have been sorted out quickly. I wasn't wrong. Those kids are safe now.
We found out from some other parents the next morning that he was in the hot tub the night before (we only stayed one night but some others went up early) and was on his phone for hours but he kept the phone pointed on their girls. He was alone but it was much later at night. We were all just sick. What if he was scouting our girls? Just be safe out there mom's and dad's. We live in a fucked up world.
- justmakingthebest's blog
- Log in or register to post comments
Comments
Thank you for doing something
Thank you for doing something. So many people don't want to make that call.. afraid someone will call them a Karen.. or accuse them of some other bias.. but those girls needed someone to make the call..
That's horrible that sick
That's horrible that sick creeps take advantage of kids like that and it's a good thing you reported it
It's a COLD world out here. Teach your kids to be aware of what's going on in the world. Not to trust people so easily. And not to leave public places with people they don't know well. And don't think bad stuff can't happen to you especially if you let your guard down especially around someone who has no character no morals and nothing to lose
That is so scary!!!
That is so scary!!!
So happy you called 911 and did something because too
many people see things, but don't act. Way to go JMTB!
You did the right thing. You
You did the right thing. You probably saved their lives.
But I am wondering, where were these girls parents?
No idea. Not at the hotel.
No idea. Not at the hotel.
The cops couldn't really tell us much because they had to protect the minors and their privacy. Which I totally respect!
Sadly, the majority of kids
Sadly, the majority of kids that get trafficked do not come from doting, concerned parents. Typically they aren't even kidnapped but rather coerced with the promise of money, job or other material goods... or even a safe place to stay or acceptance. And, the majority of the time they come from at risk communities (poverty, immigration foster or homeless situations). And many times it's not a stranger that takes them, it's often someone they know. These predators go after the easiest targets (and unfortunately ones who have likely already dealt with a lot in life). If they are using them for sex trafficking or forced labor then they don't want someone who has people looking for them.
I was gonna say that the
I was gonna say that the traffickers are more likely to take gullible unsuspecting underage girls with no family no one to look for them but I remember the case were that girl was at a sports stadium with her dad and got lured from the bathroom.
The authorities thought she ran away and didn't do much but her family kept looking and found out the trafficker was advertising her on backpage or whatever site was out at that time.
So while I do think it's less likely, all it takes is a lapse in judgement (dad thinking the place was safe and no need to walk daughter to bathroom) and some seedy character waiting like a Hawk desperate for money and prey.
If they're desperate enough they'll go for whoever lets their guard down and can make them some quick money before dumping them for the next target (preferring the low hanging fruit so to speak)
https://www.crimeonline.com/2023/01/28/disturbing-new-details-emerge-abo...
To add to what Almost said,
To add to what Almost said, kids from the LGTBQ community are also vulnerable when they don't have a support system - especially boys. Stranger kidnappings of children in the United States have stayed about 100 a year for the last 40 years or so. The vast majority of kids and young people who are trafficked are there because of someone they knew, if only casually. It is a trajedy that could be prevented with stronger and better social services.
That is so scary. Good on you
That is so scary. Good on you for getting those girls rescued! We had a prominent guy in our area busted recently for similar. The girls he trafficked were in foster care. No telling how he got access.
Well done.
Hopefully those three young women will get a chance at quality lives.
Just Talking About This
Human sex trade. It's sickening and it's everywhere. About a year ago, they busted a large ring in the town over from me. As someone told me who has lots of knowledge from her legal field work in the pedophile/sex traffic industry: you sell drugs one time; You sell children and women multiple times a day.
Thank you for standing up for those children. You've single handedly saved them from a life of hell.
It's a hidden epidemic. Not
It's a hidden epidemic. Not just for sexual purposes but also for labour purposes. I work with police regularly in my job and they see it all. I also used to live on the trans-Canada highway and our small city was victim to these sorts. We had a special team just to deal with the victims, there were so many.
The key for the traffickers is to constantly move the victims around so you can't find them and also get them addicted to drugs. They are smooth talkers and hunt the weak. Disgusting.
Well done!
Once again, justmakingthebest, you've proven to be an outstanding, empathetic and caring person, unafraid to risk either embarrassment or censure for doing the right thing. My respect for you increases with almost every post you make.
I've probably made you blush but you deserve every accolade.
I'm glad you were paying attention and listened to your
I'm glad you were paying attention and listened to your instincts!
Good for you for trusting
Good for you for trusting your gut and acting. I agree that it's better to be safe than sorry. If there had been a reasonable explanation, it would have been given and all would be cleared up. I took my DD to New York for her 16th birthday. She was very petite and looked much younger than 16. She doesn't have the same last name as me and she has severe social anxiety so she rarely makes eye contact with people she doesn't know. When we arrived home at the Toronto airport, the customs officer asked a number of (what seemed strange at the time) questions. He asked her for to state her birthdate, her full name, my full name, and asked her to look at him and tell him my eye colour. We realized later that he was screening for human trafficking. I wasn't offended then, and when I realized what he was doing, I was pleased. My DD could easily have been a 10-12 year old traveling with a fake passport. In my mind it's like screening for drunk drivers or terrorists. We all have to experience a little inconvenience to keep the eachother safe.