By Rebecca EllisLos Angeles TimesVENTURA COUNTY, Calif. — A 17-year-old girl was able to save herself from being trafficked by texting 911. The teenager, who authorities said was a victim of human trafficking, began texting the emergency number with “pleas for help” around 3 a.m. on May 9, according to the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office. In a news release, the department said the teenager began texting landmarks and other “identifiable information” she was seeing, which helped the agency quickly dispatch deputies to the correct area. Investigators said they believed the victim was trafficked to Ventura County roughly two months ago from Mexico. Ventura County began allowing people to reach 911 dispatchers via text in 2021.

Source: Los Angeles Times May 17, 2024 14:58 UTC