SANGER, CA (KMJ) — An underage person is safe after the persistence of a Sanger police officer pays off.
Sanger Police Officer Shaela Edwards began looking into a sexual assault case involving a minor back in May.
After learning the minor was still engaging in dangerous activity, the officer worked with the girl’s family to try to get help only to find out she ran away.
Not giving up, Edwards continued to follow leads and found the minor was staying with a man in Southern California and suspected it was a case involving human trafficking.
The officer was able to locate where they were staying in June and made contact with the Irvine Police Department who brought in the Orange County Human Trafficking Task Force.
Officer Edwards’ suspicions were correct and the minor was a victim of human trafficking, according to the task force.
Officers arrested Kimball Sullivan Jr for Human Trafficking of a minor among other related charges.
The minor is now safe and in the custody of Child Protective Services.
If you or someone you know is a victim of Human Trafficking, call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888.
