In a distressing turn of events, a teenager reported missing from Louisiana was discovered in a basement in Pennsylvania. This revelation came to light following an investigation by the Pittsburgh Special Victims Unit (SVU), who were working in conjunction with an FBI task force.
On October 31, authorities apprehended 26-year-old Ki-Shawn Crumity. His arrest unfolded after the U.S. Marshals tipped off SVU agents about the possibility of a missing Louisiana teen being at a Pittsburgh residence. This intelligence led them to the home where Crumity was residing.
When agents searched the premises, they found the missing teen hidden in a box covered with a sheet in the basement, as outlined in the criminal complaint. Although the girl’s exact age remains undisclosed, police highlighted that Crumity was over a decade her senior.
The teen recounted to authorities how her communication with Crumity began on Snapchat. He had promised her assistance in finding a “trusted adult” to adopt her. Her journey took her from Louisiana to Washington, D.C., where she encountered another woman who offered help, eventually leading her to Pittsburgh.
Detectives revealed harrowing details shared by the teen, alleging that she, Crumity, and the woman all slept in the same bed in the basement. The teen courageously reported that Crumity subjected her to sexual assault and rape on a daily basis during her one-week stay.
After being rescued and taken to the hospital, the teen expressed to detectives that it was the first time she felt safe, underscoring the gravity of her ordeal.
Crumity was placed in Allegheny County Jail with bail denied. He’s been charged with multiple felonies, including trafficking, statutory sexual assault, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, unlawful contact with minors, sexual assault, corruption of minors, and other related misdemeanors.
The woman who allegedly met the teen in D.C. has no known charges pending against her, according to the Pennsylvania court system. It’s currently unknown if charges will be filed.
