California girl, 14, is charged with the murder of human trafficking non

Release time：2024-05-09 09:44:11 Source：International Issue news portal

A California teen has been charged with the murder of a the daughter of a human trafficking non-profit's CEO.

The 14-year-old girl, who has not been named, is accused of fatally shooting Kendra McIntyre, 20, near a south Los Angeles elementary school on March 21.

McIntyre was the daughter of Debra Rush, CEO of Breaking the Chains, a Fresno non-profit that helps victims of trafficking.

The victim was shot in her head and neck seemingly at random,  CBS reports.

The murder took place in a part of the city known for sex work, according to officials. McIntyre was rushed to the hospital where she later died. 

A 14-year-old girl has been charged with the murder of Kendra McIntyre, 20, (pictured) who was shot to death in Los Angeles

McIntyre was the daughter of Debra Rush, CEO of Breaking the Chains, a Fresno non-profit that helps victims of trafficking (pictured together)

The victim was shot in her head and neck seemingly at random, according to officials in a location known for sex work

Rush, who is a survivor of trafficking, said her daughter had been lured there and into the world she had managed to escape prior to her death.

'Kendra was an all-around amazing human being; fiercely loyal, beautifully artistic, hilarious, outgoing, and loving,' Rush wrote in a tribute post on Facebook explaining the circumstances of her life.

'I don't know when exactly the first trafficker was able to lure her in, I will probably never know that, but what I do know all too well is that once you walk through that door, it is an iron vault that can only be unlocked by the person within it.

'My daughter never got the chance to unlock her vault, even though we stood outside, banging on the door, crying and pleading for her to open it.'

She added that McIntyre had suffered with mental health issues as a result of childhood trauma. 

The suspect was identified following a two month investigation and taken into custody on May 6. 

Rush, who is a survivor of trafficking, said her daughter had been lured there and into the world she had managed to escape prior to her death

McIntyre was discovered with wounds to her head and neck and rushed to hospital where she later died

The suspect was taken into custody on May 6 without incident and charged the next day, police said.

'Kendra's life was taken from her in a senseless act of violence, leaving Debra and her family devastated,' a post on a GoFundMe set up for Rush states.

'Debra's world has been shattered by this unimaginable loss.'

Rush has been an advocate for trafficking victims ever since she was 'lured out and violently trafficked' for several months in 1999, according to her non-profit's website.

She managed to escape and was taken to a confidential location away from her abusers.

But her isolation following the incident led her to set up her agency in a bid to help others in the same situation. 

Related articles