Police asked the public Wednesday to help identify several men suspected of trafficking a 15-year-old girl in the North Long Beach area.
Officers responded about 2 a.m. Aug. 20 to a motel in the 5300 block of Atlantic Avenue after receiving reports of possible human trafficking, according to the Long Beach Police Department.
When they arrived, officers found the girl, who had run away from a group home, police said. The teen came into contact with several unidentified men who assaulted her, according to police.
“The trafficking of a child can have devastating and often enduring traumatic effects,” LBPD Chief Wally Hebeish said in a statement.
“I am extremely grateful to the officers who rescued this young girl and commend the detectives who are diligently working to identify, locate, and arrest any individuals involved in the trafficking of this child,” he added.
Anyone with information about the case was urged to contact the Societal Crimes Section at 562-570-7221. Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477 or visit lacrimestoppers.org.