OHIO — Ohio officials said five suspected human trafficking victims were rescued this month after tips from community members led them to two southern Ohio massage parlors. 

What You Need To Know

  • The West Chester Police Department and the Chillicothe Police Department contacted the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation in June and July about tips received from the public

  • The Ohio BCI executed search warrants at two massage parlors on Dec. 7 — one in Chillicothe and another in West Chester

  • A total of five victims were identified and helped

  • If you are in need of help or know of someone, you can dial 911, contact your local police department or call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-3737-888

The West Chester Police Department and the Chillicothe Police Department contacted the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation in June and July about tips received about an illegal massage parlor. After investigating further, the BCI found connections between two parlors: The Lucky Asian Bodywork, 1532 N. Bridge St., Chillicothe location and the Lucky Asian Bodywork, 1532 N. Bridge St., Chillicothe location, according to Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost's office.

Officials executed search warrants on Dec. 7, finding five victims who were offered medical attention and access to other resources. Victim advocates were present during both searches and talked with the women. Two women were found at the Chillicothe location and the other three were at the West Chester location.

The BCI is still investigating. 

“If you think human trafficking doesn’t happen where you live, you’re wrong,” Yost said. “It happens everywhere across our state and across every demographic. It happens because of the demand, but won’t happen in Ohio without consequences – we’re watching.”

Ohio is among the worst states for human trafficking. According to data from the Ohio Human Trafficking Task Force, between 2014-2020, more than 1,300 victims were identified by officials. In 2019, Ohio ranked No. 4 for the most human trafficking victims nationwide. 

If you are in need of help or know of someone, you can dial 911, contact your local police department or call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-3737-888.

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