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Police track down missing teen after she appears in online sex ads; man, woman charged

WESTMORELAND COUNTY, Pa. — A 13-year-old girl, who was missing for more than a week, was tracked down after her picture appeared online in sex ads, authorities said.

Police in Greensburg called the girl’s case unique because both the FBI and National Center for Missing and Exploited Children got involved.

A phone call from the missing Greensburg-Salem middle schooler’s mother is what initially got the attention of federal investigators, police said.

"This is the first time we've ever had the FBI contact us, probably because of the internet,” Greensburg Police Captain Robert Stafford said.

He said the girl’s digital trail on Craigslist and social media compelled authorities to act quickly.

"The mother and the FBI had looked into her Twitter accounts and Facebook accounts and discovered she was soliciting herself over the internet,” Stafford said.

With help from Greensburg-Salem Middle School officials and the victim's friends, detectives were able to make a connection to a man they believed was helping to hide her whereabouts, police said.

"They located a name and phone number,” Stafford said.

The police captain said the number led investigators to Darell Walker, 21, of Youngwood, who initially told officers that he had not seen the girl in months. Walker allowed police to search his Depot Street apartment, where they found women’s clothing.

Authorities said they could not directly tie the clothing to the victim, but when officers returned with proof that the two exchanged messages setting up a sexual encounter, he confessed.

"Now with Facebook and Twitter and kids posting it, everything is traceable and trackable. It makes it easier for them to put their name and number out there now,” Stafford said.

Police said the 13-year-old girl was found at a home in Jeannette. Authorities told Channel 11 News that the woman who was letting the girl stay at the home will also be charged with concealing a child and interfering with custody.

Walker was taken to the Westmoreland County Jail in lieu of $250,000 bond and faces sexual assault of a minor, corruption of minors and drug charges.