Guard the Children

Guard the Children

More than 100 people were arrested for human trafficking in Ohio, according to Fox News. They were all charged with attempted unlawful sexual conduct with a minor and importuning, per WBNS-TV.

Major Steven Tucker with the Franklin County Sheriff's Office oversaw the operation and said that various law enforcement officers posed as children online and engaged in chats with 24 men.

"The reality that they were operating in, is that there absolutely was a child at the other end of that device, and that's who they were coming to see," Tucker said.

The undercover officers met up with the men only to find in their possession objects intended to be used for sexual activities, Tucker said, as reported by The Blaze.

The investigation was focused on the following Ohio counties: Franklin, Fairfield and Delaware. Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost cautioned parents and guardians to beware of internet predators who target children.

"Criminals involved in trafficking other human beings prey upon those individuals that are already at risk, subjecting them to prostitution and addiction," Yost said. "Predators who seek to harm our children and grandchildren are not hiding in the bushes, they're lurking on the internet."

Tucker encouraged parents to have honest conversations with their children and to be vigilant about their kids' online habits.
"Please talk to your children," Tucker said. "Please know what they're doing online. Set the rules. Be the parent. Know who they're talking to. You're entitled to ask. You're entitled to know. The children need to know you can't trust everybody. Not every adult is trustworthy."

The insidious crime of human trafficking is not occurring only in Ohio. Vigilance must be maintained by parents and concerned adults everywhere against this assault against children and vulnerable young people.