Full Notification

Harris County, TX — August 16, 2023 — Sheriff Ed Gonzalez and the Harris County Sheriff's Office (HCSO) completed a three-day operation aimed at locating and recovering at-risk runaway youth. From August 10-12, 2023, the collaborative efforts of the Missing Persons Unit, Human Trafficking Unit, Child Abuse Unit, and Crime Reduction Units (CRU) culminated in a comprehensive rescue operation resulting in the successful location of 31 youths.

The goal of this initial operation was to locate and rescue runaway youths ages 12-17 who were susceptible to human trafficking and to ensure the safe return of runaway youth to their parents or guardians in time for the upcoming school year.

Highly trained search teams comprised of uniformed deputies, Human Trafficking and Child Abuse Investigators, were strategically deployed throughout Harris County.

On Friday, Aug. 11, Erika Salazar, 42, was arrested for Harboring a Runaway Child. In another case, through follow-up investigations, deputies were led to a young female located in the state of Louisiana who may be a potential victim of human trafficking. The HCSO will continue to collaborate with law enforcement agencies locally and in Louisiana to ensure the safety and welfare of this young individual.
Sheriff Ed Gonzalez expressed his gratitude to all the units involved, as well as the dedication and tireless efforts of the deputies and investigators. "Our mission to protect our youth and ensure their safety remains a top priority. This operation demonstrates our commitment to serve and protect our community's most vulnerable especially as they face potential risks and challenges."