A 14-year-old girl, who had been reported missing, was found at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton in San Diego County, California.
The San Diego County Sheriff’s Department received a report from the girl’s grandmother on June 13, stating that she was missing.
On June 28, the girl was discovered at the Camp Pendleton barracks. Capt. Charles Palmer, the spokesperson for the 1st Marine Logistics Group, confirmed that an unidentified Marine had been taken into custody by the Naval Criminal Investigative Services for questioning.
Palmer made a statement, saying, “This command takes this matter and all allegations very seriously. The incident is under investigation, and we will continue to cooperate with NCIS (Naval Criminal Investigative Services) and appropriate authorities.”
According to the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department, the teenage girl, who has learning disabilities, reportedly left home on June 9 and was subsequently reported missing by her grandmother on June 13.
Nearly 20 days after she disappeared, she was found inside the barracks by military police on June 28.
Following the girl’s discovery, detectives from the sheriff’s department conducted an interview with the teenager. Additional assistance was provided to the family, and ultimately, she was safely reunited with her grandmother.
Aunt of 14-year-old that was found with marine inside barracks at Camp Pendleton pic.twitter.com/0hR7DUJEeP
— Ｎｅｒｄｙ 🅰🅳🅳🅸🅲🆃 (@Nerdy_Addict) July 9, 2023
Despite a follow-up query seeking additional details about the assistance offered to the family, representatives from the sheriff’s office have not yet responded with further information.
The identity of the girl has been kept confidential, as the sheriff’s office adheres to its policy of not disclosing identifying information about underage victims.
The investigation into the matter remains ongoing, and no additional statements from the teenager have been publicly shared, nor has any explanation been provided regarding how she came to be at Camp Pendleton.
The investigation into the matter is being led by the Naval Criminal Investigative Service, with assistance from the sheriff’s department and the San Diego Human Trafficking Task Force.
On June 28, a Marine affiliated with Combat Logistics Battalion 5, 1st Marine Logistics Group, was detained by NCIS for questioning.
Days after the incident, a photograph circulated on social media, showing the unnamed Marine being escorted in handcuffs by Marine Corps police.
