A 14-year-old girl who ran away from her grandmother's Spring Valley area home on June 9 was found last week inside the barracks at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, the San Diego County Sheriff's Department (SDSO) confirmed. The teen's disappearance was reported to the sheriff's department four days later by her grandmother.
"The grandmother reported to deputies that the teen had previously run away before but always returned home quickly," noted Melissa Aquino, SDSO's media relations officer.
The girl, who has learning disabilities, was found in the barracks June 28 by military police, according to her aunt Casaundra Perez. Perez claims her niece was a victim of human trafficking.
SDSO spokesperson Lt. David LaDieu told NBC 7 that the only involvement their department had was recovering the juvenile because she was listed as missing from their jurisdiction. However, Aquino confirmed SDSO was supporting the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) with their investigation, along with the San Diego Human Trafficking Task Force.
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A photo shared publicly on social media on July 2 showed a handcuffed Marine being escorted by military police on base on June 28. Capt. Chuck Palmer of the Camp Pendleton-based 1st Marine Logistics Group confirmed a Marine was taken into custody that day and questioned by NCIS about his involvement with the girl.
"We can confirm that a Marine with Combat Logistics Battalion 5, 1st Marine Logistics Group, was taken into custody for questioning by Naval Criminal Investigative Services on June 28, 2023, as seen on social media July 2, 2023," Palmer told NBC 7. "The incident is under investigation, and we will continue to cooperate with NCIS and appropriate authorities."
The Marine, who has not been identified or officially charged as of Monday, remains in the custody of his command, according to Palmer.
“The security looked her in the face and allowed this man to bring a minor onto base," Perez, the teen's aunt, said. "Due to her age, she could not have given this consent.”
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Both LaDieu and Palmer directed further questions regarding the investigation to the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS).
NCIS spokesperson Jeff Houston told NBC 7: "Out of respect for the investigative process, NCIS does not comment on, confirm details relating to or confirm the existence of ongoing investigations."
Perez is demanding a transparent investigation to hold accountable those responsible.
“We hope you would join us in calling and demanding both release of details as well as the pursuit of justice," added Perez.
