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Community learns more at sex trafficking forum

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Killeen residents concerned about human trafficking learned more on the crime that goes on in Bell County on Thursday.

Texas ranks second in the country in terms of the crime.

They gathered at the Killeen Community Center to hear Janiece Charlez’s story.

Her daughter, Natalie, was caught up in human trafficking and was murdered in Houston.

Next month marks two years since she lost her daughter.

Charlez told the Texas Save Our Youth group she never realized how easy her daughter could get victimized.

“What I’ve learned could fill a book. So, it just can happen to anyone. It doesn’t discriminate,” Charlez said.

Texas Save Our Youth wants to stop human trafficking, and support victims of the crime to help them recover and live a normal life.

Killeen City Councilwoman Shirley Fleming said it happens in her town and all over Texas.

“We have got to protect our youth in Texas. We’re going to work with the police department, the fire department and anybody that wants to take care of their children.”

Fleming said men, women and children can, and do, fall victim to human trafficking.

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