An ABC 'Primetime' report focused on child sex trafficking in Toledo.
Toledo's police chief sat for an interview for the story, which is somewhat critical of his department. Police chief Mike Navarre says he was led to believe the story was about what the city is doing to combat teen prostitution. But then he realized that was not the full story.
A Toledo teen, identified only by the alias "Kimberly," sits down with ABC's Cynthia McFadden. In detail, she describes how she was lured into a life of prostituon. Kimberly, then 15 ,and her 14-year-old cousin, who 'Primetime' calls "Carol," were picked up and forced for nine days to have sex with strangers in Toledo motels.
Ten days after they were reported missing, Kiimberly was picked up by police at a Michigan truck stop. She later took her family to the home where "Carol" was being kept as a sex prisoner.
It took six 911 calls, 93 minutes and a confrontation between "Carol's" father and the suspect before police showed up. Chief Navarre said, "In this case, the initial call that came in was not the highest priority."
Navarre admits 93 minutes is excessive, but says it's unfair to focus on the response time. He says he was led to believe by the ABC reporter that he was talking about the greater issue of teen prostitution. "Most members of the media are reputable and let you know in advance what they are writing a story about and in this case, they certainly did not do that."
Deric Willoughby is the man who lured the teens into the prostitution ring. He has been charged with conspiracy and interstate transportation of minors for prostitution. He was sentenced to eight years in prison.
The teens in ABC's 'Primetime' special were recovered through "Innocence Lost". The FBI launched its program in 2003 to tackle the problem of teen prostitution in the U.S. To date, more than 430 children across the U.S. and here in Toledo have been recovered.
Also, in June, the FBI joined with local law enforcement in the five-day national "Operation Cross Country". Here in Toledo, one juvenile was recovered and 53 people were arrested, including 44 prostitutes, three pimps and six johns.
