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Tampa police help human trafficking victims
Briona Arradondo reports
TAMPA, Fla. - Tampa police rescued a 17-year-old human trafficking victim after they were notified of images of the girl posted on an online prostitution website.
According to the Tampa Police Department, they were notified on Sept. 28 by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) that images of the victim had been posted online.
Investigators determined that the photographs had been posted from a location in the northern section of the city.
READ: Deputies rescue human trafficking victim, arrest convicted felon
On Wednesday, TPD SVU detectives recovered the teen and connected her with resources, including the Tampa Police Victims Advocate. According to TPD, no arrests have been made yet, but the human trafficking investigation remains active.
"Our detectives are dedicated to protecting our community and ensuring justice is served for victims of human trafficking," said Chief Lee Bercaw. "We are also committed to connecting victims with local organizations such as Miniserio Mujeres Restaurdas por Dios, a recent recipient of TPD C.A.R.E.S. funding, to provide assistance to survivors of human trafficking."
The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office also announced Thursday that they arrested a convicted felon for human trafficking after rescuing a different victim.