A San Diego law firm is taking Motel 6 to federal court, accusing the budget hotel chain and its franchisor of letting sex trafficking operate in plain sight at several California locations. The lawsuit claims the abuse left one woman permanently injured and her child with severe disabilities, and it seeks damages for years of alleged exploitation. Legal experts say the filing has renewed scrutiny on economy hotels and how they respond to trafficking warnings.
The First Amended Complaint was filed last Monday in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California. According to the court filing, G6 Hospitality, Motel 6 Operating LP, and various franchisee entities are named as defendants. The plaintiffs are identified as a California mother, Jane Doe 1, and her daughter, Jane Doe 2.
Meagan Verschueren, counsel at Singleton Schreiber, called the allegations "concerning" and said the defendants "must be held fully accountable" to the victims, according to 10News. The outlet carried the firm’s announcement along with a link to the complaint.
What the Complaint Alleges
The lawsuit states that Jane Doe 1 was trafficked for sex from roughly July 2018 through August 2020 and that she suffered physical violence and permanent injuries during that time. Plaintiffs say the trafficker forced Jane Doe 1 to continue being trafficked throughout her pregnancy and that the physical harm she endured caused her daughter, Jane Doe 2, to be born with quadriplegic cerebral palsy, according to the complaint.
Where the Suit Says It Happened
The plaintiffs allege that the trafficking took place at multiple Motel 6 locations across California, including properties in San Luis Obispo, Modesto, Redding, Turlock and Manteca, as first reported by 10News. The complaint attaches online reviews and other contemporaneous records that plaintiffs argue show repeated red flags that hotel staff allegedly ignored.
Legal Context
The suit asserts claims under federal trafficking statutes that allow survivors to seek civil remedies when third parties knowingly benefit from trafficking. Singleton Schreiber and other plaintiff firms have pursued similar claims in recent years, and courts have, in some instances, allowed beneficiary-liability and TVPRA-based claims to move forward, the firm has said in prior press materials. See Singleton Schreiber for related filings and background on comparable cases.
Corporate Background
Motel 6 is franchised nationwide by G6 Hospitality. The brand was sold to the parent company of OYO in a transaction announced in 2024, a shift that observers say complicates how responsibility is divided between franchisors and local operators. The sale and the corporate structure are outlined in the chain’s reporting on its ownership. See AP for background on corporate ownership.
What Happens Next
The case is listed as pending in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California with a case number tied to 2025 filings. Plaintiffs submitted the First Amended Complaint on Jan. 12, and the suit will move through the federal docket as defendants are served and respond. Court records, including the complaint and supporting exhibits, contain the allegations, and the docket is publicly accessible for follow-up. See Justia for filings.
Resources
Survivors of trafficking or anyone with information about possible trafficking can contact the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888 (TTY: 711) or use the hotline’s online reporting tools. The hotline operates 24/7 and provides confidential support. More information is available at the National Human Trafficking Hotline.
