Missing teen girl found in Middelburg; two arrested for human trafficking

Police officers found a 17-year-old girl who had been missing for several days at a hotel in Middelburg on Wednesday evening. The police fear she was being forced to work as a prostitute. Two persons were arrested on suspicion of human trafficking, the police said on Thursday.

Information that the teenage girl may be working for an escort company led the police to the Middelburg hotel on Wednesday. The suspects, a 22-year-old man from Zierikzee and an 18-year-old woman from Rotterdam, were arrested when they arrived at the hotel with the girl at around 10:00 p.m. on Wednesday.

The minor victim was offered support by the police until Youth Protection stepped in and took over.

The police are investigating exactly what happened, and how the two suspects are connected to the girl. They are in custody for questioning and will be arraigned on Friday.