Pittsburgh,
United States — Authorities have rescued a 13-year-old girl from Louisiana who
was found trapped inside a box in a Pennsylvania basement, several days after
she went missing. Police arrested Ki-Shawn Crumity, 26, who allegedly lured the
child through Snapchat and now faces multiple charges including human
trafficking and sexual assault.
Police
confirmed the rescue took place Thursday after a coordinated investigation
involving local, state, and federal agencies. The girl, reported missing from
Baker, Louisiana, around 20 October, was located in the Brighton Park
neighborhood of Pittsburgh.
Officials
said Crumity met the victim online and persuaded her to travel across state
lines. According to court documents, he allegedly kept her confined in his
basement and repeatedly assaulted her.
“This
child was groomed, exploited, and then sexually abused by strangers who found
her online,” said Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill, describing the case
as “a tragic example of the dangers of digital grooming.”
Authorities
stated that the teenager was taken to a hospital for evaluation, where evidence
of sexual assault was recovered. She reportedly told investigators she met
Crumity through Snapchat, believing he would help her find a new guardian.
Investigators
say the victim boarded a Greyhound bus to Pittsburgh, assisted by adults who
are now also facing charges. At Crumity’s home, she was allegedly given
marijuana-infused edibles and forced to stay in a sheet-covered box inside the
basement.
The
child described her time in captivity in detail to detectives. Local news
station WTAE reported that she told investigators she felt safest only after
arriving at the hospital.
Crumity
has been charged with human trafficking, sexual assault, unlawful contact with
a minor, and corruption of a child. He remains in the Allegheny County Jail
without bail.
Two
additional suspects — Ronald Smith, 62, of Columbus, Georgia, and Alvin Hanson,
64, of New Orleans — were also taken into custody for allegedly helping
transport the girl from Baton Rouge to Georgia before she boarded the bus
north.
Smith
faces charges of simple kidnapping and contributing to the delinquency of a
juvenile, while Hanson faces the latter offense.
“Online
predators exploit vulnerable children with false promises,” said Brian Fair,
spokesperson for the U.S. Marshals Service. “Parents must remain vigilant about
their kids’ social media activity.”
Investigators
said they expect more arrests, citing reports that additional individuals may
have been present in Crumity’s basement during the rescue.
The
case has reignited national concern about child exploitation and online
grooming, issues that law enforcement agencies say have escalated with the use
of encrypted messaging and social media platforms.
Advocacy
organizations have urged tech companies to strengthen safety protocols and
improve cooperation with authorities in suspected child-trafficking cases.
Louisiana
officials confirmed that the girl has been reunited with her family and is
receiving trauma counseling.
A
law-enforcement task force will continue to trace digital evidence and
communications that led to the abduction, according to Pittsburgh police.
The
investigation remains ongoing, with authorities warning that the case
illustrates “how easily online contact can escalate into real-world
exploitation.”
By
Riley Bennett, CRN Times Newsroom
Bio:
Riley Bennett is a senior political and crime analyst with over a decade of
experience covering justice and human rights issues across North America.
Date:
1 November 2025 – 14:00 GMT
Contact:
newsroom@crntimes.com