U.S. Marshals rescued a missing girl from Arizona who was found in Seattle's 'The Jungle' homeless encampment. The discovery occurred weeks after the girl disappeared from her Mesa, Arizona, home in May.
On June 18, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children alerted Marshals that the girl might have been a victim of sex trafficking in Washington state. A lead developed by a Deputy U.S. Marshal directed officials to the 20-acre encampment in Olympia, known as 'The Jungle.' This notorious site is characterized by high rates of violence and an estimated population ranging from 100 to 250 individuals.
Marsals found the girl on Thursday within the wooded camp, approximately 1,500 miles from her Arizona home. She was subsequently transferred to the Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families and the Olympia Police Department for victim assistance and care.
"Protecting our nation's children is of the highest importance," stated Donrien Stephens, acting U.S. marshal for the Western District of Washington. "The excellent investigative efforts, collaboration, and persistence of our local, state, and community partners led to the safe recovery of a youth with an elevated risk of human trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation."
'The Jungle' encampment has a history of criminal activity. In 2016, two brothers were sentenced to 40 years each in prison for a double murder that occurred within the camp. The shooting involved an alleged drug dealer and several other individuals. In 2009, two other men were fatally shot in the encampment.
Seattle officials have been addressing homelessness and encampments in the city. Mayor Katie Wilson has focused on providing temporary shelter beds, with a goal of increasing capacity in preparation for major events. Efforts have been made to connect unsheltered residents with services, though challenges persist due to a lack of specialized shelters for individuals with significant mental health or substance use issues.