Five endangered and missing teenagers were rescued and recovered by U.S. Marshalls in a massive operation in the New Orleans, Louisiana, area, that ended late last month.
Daily News. Christian Views. Listen and SUBSCRIBE to our PODCAST
The victims, ranging in ages from 14 to 17, were found as part of Operation Boo Dat, a multi-agency effort that unfolded from mid-October through Dec. 24.
The U.S. Marshals Service New Orleans Task Force put out a statement about the annual effort that details highlights from the massive rescue operation, which included 30 arrests.
One of the most heartbreaking rescues involved a 15-year-old runaway who purportedly had a history as a human sex trafficking victim.
“That teen had prior human sex trafficking issues in Baton Rouge, but her pimp had recently been murdered,” the statement read, noting she was found in an apartment living with her 17-year-old boyfriend. “Information was also developed that the female was regularly leaving the apartment to meet with adult males in New Orleans East.”
Meanwhile, another of the teenagers was a 16-year-old female who allegedly stole a relative’s vehicle and a handgun. She was found living with adults, including “an adult female strip club dancer.”
Another rescue was a 14-year-old who was recovered at a local motel. According to the statement, she had “possible sex trafficking ties,” and was recovered along with a 17-year-old and a 15-year-old. The group was purportedly stranded by a group of adult males who were previously with them in another room.
The final rescue involved sisters, aged 15 and 16, who were believed to be “victims of adult(s) felony criminal sexual activities.”
In addition to these rescues, numerous alleged sex offenders were arrested and detained by the agencies involved in Operation Boo Dat, NBC News reported.
One of the men arrested was accused of raping a 12-year-old girl in an abandoned home.
Thankfully, law enforcement officials from multiple agencies were able to find the teens and stop alleged culprits from engaging in traumatic, dangerous, and illegal behavior.
***As the number of voices facing big-tech censorship continues to grow, please sign up for Faithwire’s daily newsletter and download the CBN News app, developed by our parent company, to stay up-to-date with the latest news from a distinctly Christian perspective.***