Long Beach police quickly located and rescued a missing 14-year-old girl who may have been the victim of human trafficking, officials said. Officers tracked the teen to Los Angeles within hours of getting a report that she was missing, brought her back to Long Beach, and then turned her over to the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services so the agency could coordinate her return home. Police have released few details about why they suspect trafficking or whether anyone has been taken into custody.
What the police say
According to a department statement reported by MyNewsLA, investigators received a report about the missing girl on Friday and found her in Los Angeles a few hours later. The outlet quoted Chief Wally Hebeish praising the detectives and officers involved and stating, "Human trafficking and the exploitation of children will never be tolerated." The department said the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services would oversee reunification and support services for the teen.
Regional crackdown and past rescues
The recovery in Long Beach comes amid a broader regional effort to clamp down on sex trafficking. The Los Angeles Police Department reported that its Operation Reclaim & Rebuild in early 2025 was a weeklong, multi‑agency sweep that led to hundreds of arrests and the recovery of minors across Los Angeles County. Local outlets have also highlighted several recent rescues and related prosecutions in Long Beach, underscoring the ongoing problem in the area; see coverage from the Long Beach Post.
Resources and next steps
When a child is recovered, county child-welfare agencies typically step in to coordinate medical care, trauma‑informed services and reunification, according to Los Angeles County. Long Beach police list their Vice Investigation Detail at (562) 570‑7219 in press materials, according to a Long Beach Police Department press release, and advise people to use anonymous hotlines for immediate help. The National Human Trafficking Hotline, at 1‑888‑373‑7888, offers 24/7 support and an online chat for survivors and tipsters.
Investigation status
Police have not publicly explained what led them to believe the girl may have been trafficked and said detectives are continuing to follow leads, according to MyNewsLA. Authorities urged anyone with information to contact investigators so the case can move forward.
