Girl reported missing in Mesa found in Washington homeless encampment

A Mesa girl who had been reported missing was found Thursday in a Washington homeless encampment, according to the U.S. Marshals Service.

The investigation began after the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children received a tip  June 18 that the girl may have been trafficked for sex.

How did investigators find the missing child from Mesa?

A deputy marshal assigned to missing child cases later developed information indicating the girl could be in a 20-acre homeless encampment in Olympia known as “The Jungle,” which has been associated with violent incidents and other public safety concerns.

Marshals worked with the Washington State Department of Corrections to search the area and locate the missing Mesa girl.

She received treatment and victim assistance from the Olympia Police Department and the Washington State Department of Children, Youth and Families.

Donrien Stephens, acting U.S. Marshal for the Western District of Washington, said the girl had “an elevated risk” of being trafficked and sexually exploited.

“Protecting our nation’s children is of the highest importance,” Stephens said in a press release. “The excellent investigative efforts, collaboration and persistence of our local, state and community partners lead to the safe recovery of a youth with an elevated risk of human trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation.”

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