Philadelphia hotels just paid out a staggering $17.5 million settlement to victims who were trafficked as minors on their properties. This landmark case exposes how popular hotel chains allegedly turned a blind eye to ongoing criminal activity despite numerous warning signs. It’s happening right under our noses!
At a glance:
• A historic $17.5 million settlement was reached in a Philadelphia human trafficking case involving three women trafficked as minors
• The trafficking occurred at Motel 6, Days Inn, and North American Motor Inn from May 2015 to January 2017
• Hotels allegedly failed to establish adequate security despite knowing about illegal activities
• The settlement was finalized on March 13 after separate lawsuits were filed by victims identified as T.S., B.S., and D.T.
• This case follows another recent $24.5 million award to two other trafficking victims at a West Philadelphia hotel
Hotels Accused of Ignoring Criminal Activity
A Pennsylvania law firm secured the massive $17.5 million settlement for three women who were allegedly trafficked as minors at multiple Philadelphia hotels. The victims, identified only as T.S., B.S., and D.T., filed separate lawsuits against Motel 6, Days Inn, and North American Motor Inn for incidents occurring between May 2015 and January 2017.
The hotels allegedly knew about the ongoing criminal activity but failed to take action despite repeated police visits and phone calls. This negligence directly contributed to the continued exploitation of these young women who were forced into sex trafficking while still minors.
Victims Subjected to Horrific Abuse
The settlement comes on the heels of another recent case where an arbitrator awarded $24.5 million to two additional women, identified as B.H. and C.A., who were similarly trafficked as minors at a West Philadelphia hotel. Both women endured beatings, threats, and rape during their captivity at North American Motor Inn and other locations.
“Instead of hiring qualified security and adoption and enforcement policies against criminal activity, the hotels did nothing and permitted criminal activity to the detriment of our clients,” stated the plaintiff’s attorney.
The hotels’ failure to implement proper security measures directly enabled these trafficking operations to continue despite obvious warning signs.
B.H. was only 17 when she was trafficked for two weeks in January 2013, while C.A. was just 16 when she was trafficked approximately 30 times over nearly a year. Their escape came only when B.H. managed to call police and C.A. was later recovered by the FBI in October 2013.
A Growing Pattern of Accountability
This $17.5 million settlement represents a significant victory in holding businesses accountable for enabling human trafficking on their premises, and serves as a deterrent for other hotels who may otherwise turn a blind eye to these crimes.
“It is a significant victory to hold this hotel accountable for the open and obvious criminal activity that was happening there,” said Emily Marks, one of the attorneys representing the victims. The resolution of these cases sends a powerful message to the hospitality industry about its responsibility to implement effective security measures.
