A suspected victim of human trafficking is home safe seven years after she disappeared, following a desperate call from an Inkster motel.
According to FOX 2 Detroit, the victim, identified as a woman in her 30s, contacted family members Monday, reporting her captivity at the Evergreen Motel on Michigan Avenue.
Upon receiving the call, the family contacted Michigan State Police. Police arrived at the motel and heard audible signs of distress, including screaming and crying, from the victim’s room. Responding officers entered the room by force and found the woman, physically safe but upset.
“They described it as like a crying, kind of screaming type of noise that lured them to that specific area,” Michigan State Police Lt. Mike Shaw said. “She was pretty distraught.”
ABC 7 reports that the victim had been missing since 2017, after she reportedly walked away from family members. She’s now receiving mental health care while investigators try to establish whether she was a victim of sex trafficking.
“We’ll kind of look at what’s next, right—interview her if a crime did take place such as human trafficking or is it a domestic violence situation or is it different,” Shaw continued.
“I don’t want to use the word kidnapping like somebody grabbed her and took her to that place. It may have started out as a relationship that turns into being held against your will and being trafficked.”
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
[Feature Photo: Shutterstock]
