A girl whose family claimed she was sold to a United States Marine for sex was found two weeks after she was reported missing at the barracks of Camp Pendleton in California.

The 14-year-old was first declared missing on June 13, four days after some relatives said she ran away from her grandmother’s house. However, her aunt claims the teen had been sold into sex trafficking. 

The teen was found at the San Diego area Marine base on June 28. Days later, a Marine was seen being led from the barracks in handcuffs. 

‘We can confirm that a Marine with Combat Logistics Battalion 5, 1st Marine Logistics Group was taken into custody for questioning by Naval Criminal Investigative Services on June 28, 2023, as seen on social media July 2, 2023,’ Captain Chuck Palmer said. 

The name of the Marine taken into custody  has not been released. 

A girl whose family claimed she was sold to a United States Marine for sex was found two weeks after she was first reported missing at the barracks of Camp Pendleton in California. A Marine is seen being brought in for questioning on July 2

‘The incident is under investigation, and we will continue to cooperate with NCIS and appropriate authorities,’ he told NBC San Diego. 

Palmer confirmed the Marine pictured in handcuffs was being detained and  questioned about the missing girl. 

The victim’s grandmother told the authorities she had run away several times before but had always previously returned. 

The girl’s aunt, Casaundra Perez, told authorities her niece – who she says has learning disabilities – was sold to the Marine for sex.

She posted to her TikTok account on July 6, clearly nervous about what would happen to her as she feared retribution speaking out about what her niece had allegedly gone through. 

‘I would just like to preface this video, I did not kill myself, if I go missing or end up murdered the people potentially responsible could possibly be located here at Camp Pendleton,’ she said.

She claimed the military tried to engage in a cover-up and that everyone at Camp Pendleton allowed the victimization of the 14-year-old. 

‘The security looked her in the face and allowed this man to bring a minor on to base where he then proceeded to have sex with her’ Perez said. 

‘Due to her age, she could not have given this consent,’ she added, then claiming someone referred to her family by the military told them the Marines were trying to keep the story from becoming public. 

The girl’s aunt, Casaundra Perez, told authorities and said in a TikTok video that her niece – who she says has learning disabilities – was sold to the Marine for sex

She posted to her TikTok account on July 6, clearly nervous about what would happen to her as she feared retribution speaking out about what her niece had allegedly gone through

‘I would just like to preface this video, I did not kill myself, if I go missing or end up murdered the people potentially responsible could possibly be located here at Camp Pendleton,’ Perez said

Perez added she will release the name of a ‘military detective’ she believes is behind the coverup if her attorney allows so she can get justice for her niece.

She reiterated as the video ended that she thinks the military will retaliate against her family.

Palmer said the Marine brought in for questioning has not been charged with a crime.

The Naval Criminal Investigative Service said its investigation is still ongoing, according to a statement.

‘Out of respect for the investigative process, NCIS does not comment on, confirm details relating to, or confirm the existence of ongoing investigations,’ a spokesperson said.