Pittsburgh, PA – A 13-year-old girl from Louisiana who went missing last week was found stuffed inside a box in a Pennsylvania man’s basement, where police say she was sexually assaulted repeatedly after being lured through Snapchat. Authorities rescued the victim after tracking her across several states, highlighting the grave dangers of online grooming and human trafficking.
The Incident: Teen Lured Across States Through Snapchat
According to police, Ki-Shawn Crumity, 26, of Pittsburgh, met the young girl on Snapchat and convinced her to travel more than 1,000 miles from Louisiana to his home under the false pretense of helping her get “adopted by a trusted adult.”
Instead, investigators allege Crumity kept the 13-year-old locked in his basement, hidden inside a box covered with a sheet, where she was sexually assaulted multiple times over several days.
“She was groomed, exploited, and then sexually abused by strangers who found her online,” said Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill, describing the case as a tragic example of social media exploitation.
Investigation and Rescue Operation
Police said the victim’s disappearance was reported in Louisiana last week, prompting a multi-state investigation involving the FBI, U.S. Marshals, and the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police Special Victims Unit.
Authorities traced her movements from Louisiana to Georgia, then to Washington, D.C., before she arrived in Pittsburgh with an adult woman who has also been implicated in the case.
“On October 30, 2025, the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police Special Victims Unit received a report initiated by U.S. Marshals that a juvenile female victim from Louisiana was at an address in the 1200 block of Davis Avenue in Pittsburgh’s Brighton Heights neighborhood,” local officials said in a press release.
After obtaining a federal search warrant, FBI agents and SWAT officers raided Crumity’s home, finding the victim inside a box covered by a sheet in his basement. She told investigators that Crumity gave her alcohol and marijuana edibles while sexually assaulting her several times each day.
Charges Filed Against Suspects
Crumity has been charged with multiple felony counts, including:
- Trafficking in individuals
- Statutory sexual assault
- Involuntary deviate sexual intercourse
- Sexual assault
- Selling or furnishing alcohol to a minor
Authorities revealed that Crumity is one of three suspects believed to have facilitated the teen’s cross-country travel for trafficking. He remains in custody at Allegheny County Jail, where he has been denied bail.
At least one other suspect, Ronald Smith, 62, of New Orleans, was arrested in Georgia and charged with simple kidnapping and contributing to the delinquency of a juvenile. Police believe Smith was the man who initially drove the girl to Georgia before she traveled by Greyhound bus to Washington, D.C., and then to Pittsburgh.
Witness Accounts: “It Was Unnerving”
Neighbors in Pittsburgh’s Brighton Heights neighborhood described seeing federal agents swarm Crumity’s home during the rescue operation.
“I saw a girl — looked like a girl, very small — being pulled out,” one neighbor told WWL.
“It’s scary,” another resident added. “Crazy, unnerving. I’m just glad they got the guy.”
Investigators said they were able to locate the victim through online activity and digital footprints, which showed her location in Pennsylvania.
Officials Warn of Social Media Dangers
Law enforcement and public officials have pointed to this case as a powerful warning for parents and teens about the dangers of online communication with strangers.
“This is just one example of the dangers of social media and of human trafficking,” Attorney General Murrill said. “Parents need to stay vigilant about who their children are speaking with online and monitor their activity closely.”
Authorities have also confirmed that the victim is now safe, receiving medical and psychological care, and will be reunited with her family in Louisiana.
Background and Legal Context
Under federal and Pennsylvania law, trafficking a minor and committing sexual assault against a child are felonies punishable by decades in prison. The interstate nature of the case means that the FBI and Department of Justice could file federal trafficking charges, potentially carrying a life sentence for Crumity and his co-conspirators.
Experts warn that Snapchat and similar apps have increasingly become tools for traffickers who use fake identities to lure minors. In recent years, federal agencies have recorded a sharp increase in online exploitation cases involving minors as young as 12.
Ongoing Developments and Next Steps
Authorities are continuing to trace communications between Crumity and others believed to be part of the trafficking ring. Additional arrests are expected as investigators pursue leads across multiple states.
Crumity remains in Allegheny County custody, while his alleged accomplices are facing extradition and federal review. The rescued girl continues to recover with support from child advocacy services and family members.
Conclusion
The discovery of a missing 13-year-old girl hidden inside a basement box after a Snapchat encounter has reignited concerns about online safety, grooming, and trafficking. As the investigation unfolds, officials are urging parents and guardians to remain alert and to educate children about online predators who exploit social media to target vulnerable minors.
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