On April 8, 2022, according to ESPN, a 15-year-old girl and her stepfather went to a Dallas Mavericks game at American Airlines Arena. At some point during the game, she got up to use the restroom, leaving her phone, debit card, and ID at her seat. When she didn’t return, her stepfather notified stadium security, who were unable to find her. Eventually, it was learned that she was seen leaving the arena and entering a parking garage.
According to WFIN, outside the arena, she came into contact with a man identified as Emanuel Jose Cartagena. He took her to an “unknown house” in Dallas, where he allegedly sexually assaulted her. There, she and possibly other human trafficking victims were reportedly held in captivity and repeatedly sexually assaulted. The Dallas police were less than helpful, according to KFOR, considering hers a case of a teen runaway and refusing to investigate. Instead, the stepfather contacted the Texas Counter-Trafficking Initiative, which was able to find photos advertising the girl on prostitution websites. She was tracked to an Oklahoma City hotel and rescued.
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“We are thankful for the work of the Oklahoma City Police Department and the recovery of our daughter. My heart breaks for the unimaginable things my daughter had to endure for the 11 days she was taken, and I am so glad she is safe as we work towards her recovery,” said the girl’s mother.
