A 17-year-old girl avoided being trafficked by texting 911.
The teen, who authorities say is a victim of human trafficking, began sending “please for help” text messages to emergency numbers around 3 a.m. on May 9, according to the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office.
The text messages were sent to the Sheriff’s Office communications center, where staff began translating the text messages into Spanish.
The teen began texting landmarks she saw and other “identifiable messages,” which helped the agency quickly dispatch deputies to the correct area, the department said in a news release. The teen was located in Casitas Springs.
Investigators said they believe the victim was trafficked from Mexico to Ventura County about two months ago. She has been placed in the county’s Children and Family Services Center until authorities find her family, according to the release.
The department arrested Gerardo Cruz, 31, of Veracruz, Mexico. His bail is set at $500,000.
Ventura County began allowing people to contact 911 dispatchers via text message in 2021.
The change was intended to make emergency dispatch services more accessible to people who have speech difficulties or who are unable to make a call in an emergency situation, such as victims of domestic violence, the Ventura County Star-Telegram reported at the time.
