Teen’s 911 text leads to rescue months after she’s trafficked from Mexico, CA cops say
A teen’s text to 911 led to her rescue after she was trafficked from Mexico months ago, California deputies say.
The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office received a text message “with pleas for help” at about 3 a.m. Thursday, May 9, deputies said in a May 16 news release.
Over text messages, which were written in Spanish and translated into English, deputies said the teen told a dispatcher she was unsure of her location.
The teen, however, was able to provide the dispatcher with “landmarks and other identifiable information,” according to deputies.
As the dispatcher communicated with the teen, writing responses in English that were quickly translated to Spanish, deputies said others worked to provide information to authorities.
After searching near Casitas Springs for about 20 minutes, deputies said they found the teen.
Investigation showed the teen “had been trafficked to Ventura County from Mexico about two months ago,” according to deputies.
Through speaking with the teen, deputies said they identified Gerardo Cruz, 31, of Veracruz, Mexico, as a suspect.
He was arrested and booked into jail on multiple counts, including human trafficking, forcible rape and lewd acts upon a child.
Cruz is being held on $500,000 bail, deputies said. He is expected to appear in court on May 22.
Ventura County Child Family Services took over caring for the teen until she is reunited with family, deputies said.
Ventura County is about a 70-mile drive northwest from Los Angeles.
This story was originally published May 17, 2024 at 11:24 AM with the headline "Teen’s 911 text leads to rescue months after she’s trafficked from Mexico, CA cops say."
