A missing juvenile was safely rescued in Montgomery County after detectives traced online sex ads, and two Houston women were arrested on child trafficking charges.<\/p>\n
MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Texas \u2014 A missing juvenile is back home safe after Montgomery County Sheriff\u2019s Office detectives tracked the child through online sex ads and rescued the victim during a trafficking investigation, authorities announced Wednesday.<\/p>\n
Detectives with the Montgomery County Sheriff\u2019s Office Organized Crime Division VICE Unit were working a missing juvenile case Monday when they discovered online advertisements on prostitution-related websites that appeared to show the child with an unknown adult woman. Investigators arranged a meeting at a local hotel in Montgomery County, turning the missing-person case into a planned rescue operation.<\/p>\n
With help from Texas Department of Public Safety special agents, detectives found the suspects\u2019 vehicle, with by two adult women and the missing juvenile inside. The child was rescued at the scene, ending what authorities described as a specialized human trafficking investigation.<\/p>\n
The women with the juvenile were identified as 20-year-old Norma Lewis and 20-year-old Niasia Harrell, both from Houston. They were arrested, charged with trafficking of a child, a first-degree felony, and taken to the Montgomery County Jail.<\/p>\n
Deputies immediately made the child\u2019s safety the priority once the recovery was made, according to the sheriff\u2019s office. The juvenile was given medical care and support services before being released to the child\u2019s parents.<\/p>\n
“The Montgomery County Sheriff\u2019s Office remains dedicated to the protection of our youth and the aggressive prosecution of those who participate in organized crime and human trafficking,” a release from MCSO said.<\/p>\n