PITTSBURGH, PA – Authorities rescued a 13-year-old Louisiana girl Thursday after finding her hidden in a box in a Pittsburgh basement, concluding a multi-state search that began when she disappeared from a Baton Rouge bus station earlier this month.
The teen from East Baton Rouge Parish was discovered covered by a sheet in the basement of a Pittsburgh residence and immediately taken to a hospital for evaluation. Two suspects from New Orleans now face serious criminal charges in connection with her disappearance and alleged sexual assault.
Ki-Shawn Crumity, 26, was arrested in Pittsburgh and faces charges of trafficking in individuals, statutory sexual assault of a minor, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, sexual assault, and corruption of minors. Ronald Smith, 62, was arrested in Columbus, Georgia, and charged with kidnapping and contributing to the delinquency of a juvenile.
According to the criminal complaint, the victim connected with Crumity through the social media platform Snapchat. Crumity allegedly promised to help the girl get adopted by a trusted adult, convincing her to travel to Pittsburgh.
The teen was last seen at the Greyhound bus station in Baton Rouge before boarding a bus to Pennsylvania. Smith was arrested in Columbus, Georgia, one of the stops the girl made during her journey to Pittsburgh, suggesting his involvement in facilitating her travel.
For approximately one week, the victim was held in the basement where she, Crumity, and an unidentified woman stayed, according to court documents. During this time, Crumity allegedly provided the girl with marijuana edibles and sexually assaulted her on a daily basis.
Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill praised the multi-agency effort that led to the rescue. “Very proud of my LBI agents in helping to locate this child,” Murrill said in a statement. “She was groomed, exploited, and then sexually abused by strangers who found her online.”
The investigation involved coordination between Louisiana Bureau of Investigation agents, Pennsylvania authorities, and the U.S. Marshals Service. The collaborative effort spanned multiple states as investigators tracked the victim’s movements from Louisiana through Georgia to Pennsylvania.
The U.S. Marshals Service indicated that additional arrests may follow as the investigation continues. Authorities are working to identify the woman who was present in the basement and determine if others were involved in the trafficking scheme.
The case highlights growing concerns about online predators using social media platforms to target vulnerable minors. Law enforcement officials emphasized the dangers of children communicating with strangers on apps like Snapchat.
Both suspects remain in custody pending court appearances. If convicted on all charges, Crumity faces decades in prison on the trafficking and sexual assault counts alone.
The victim is receiving medical care and support services. Her family has been notified of her rescue, and Louisiana child welfare officials are coordinating her return home.
Authorities urge parents to monitor their children’s online activities and communications. Warning signs of grooming include secretive behavior about online friendships, receiving gifts from unknown sources, and discussions about meeting people met online.
Anyone with information about the case is asked to contact the U.S. Marshals Service or local law enforcement.
