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A 17-year-old Burlington boy has been charged following a York Regional Police investigation into the trafficking and sexual exploitation of three underage girls.
Investigators with the York Regional Police Counter Exploitation Unit began the investigation on Tuesday, January 27th, after receiving information that three missing female youths from Quebec were believed to be in York Region and may have been sexually exploited.
Police attended a residence in Richmond Hill where the girls were believed to be located. During the investigation, officers safely located one of the victims inside the home and arrested the Burlington youth, along with 23-year-old Shaikh Sabahat of Toronto. The identities of the Burlington teen and the victims are protected under the Youth Criminal Justice Act.
Both Sabahat and the Burlington resident are charged with:
- Exercise Control, Direction or Influence Under 18 x3
- Householder Permitting Sexual Activity x3
- Fail to Comply with Undertaking
Police say the investigation remains ongoing and are asking anyone with information, or who may be a victim of human trafficking, to contact the York Regional Police Counter Exploitation Unit. Anonymous tips can also be provided through Crime Stoppers.
