A 13-year-old girl from Louisiana, who had been reported missing, was discovered over 1,000 miles away from her home, hidden in a box in a Pittsburgh basement. Authorities say she was lured away from home and subjected to repeated sexual abuse by a man who deceived her with the promise of adoption.
The teenager was reported missing from East Baton Rouge Parish on October 20. She was found on Thursday, concealed in a box covered with a sheet in a Pittsburgh house. The alleged perpetrator, 26-year-old Ki-Shawn Crumity, is accused of sexually abusing the girl multiple times after giving her alcohol and marijuana edibles, as per the criminal complaint.
Crumity reportedly befriended the girl on Snapchat and convinced her to travel over 1,000 miles by bus under the false pretense that she would be adopted by trustworthy adults. Instead, she was manipulated, exploited, and sexually abused by strangers who found her online, according to Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill. This case serves as a stark reminder of the potential dangers of social media and human trafficking.
The identity of the girl has been withheld due to her age and the nature of the crimes committed against her. The abuse began the day she arrived at the house, with Crumity allegedly having sex with her at least once or twice daily during her week-long stay. She was forced to share a bed in the basement with Crumity and an unidentified woman.
Crumity reportedly admitted to investigators that he was aware the girl was a runaway and that he could face legal consequences. The girl was eventually rescued during a SWAT raid following a tip-off. After being taken to a hospital, she told police that she felt safer than she ever had before.
Crumity is facing multiple serious charges, including sex trafficking, sexual assault, and providing alcohol to a minor. He is currently being held without bail in the Allegheny County Jail.
Missing girl, 13, found hidden in box 1,150 miles away in accused sex trafficker’s basement
In a related arrest, 62-year-old Ronald Smith from New Orleans was apprehended in Columbus, Georgia. He faces charges of simple kidnapping and contributing to the delinquency of a minor for allegedly facilitating the first leg of the girl’s journey before putting her on a bus. Authorities have indicated that others are involved and are likely to face charges.