Human trafficking charges laid after N.B. girl rescued in N.S. hotel parking lot

Warning: This story contains distressing details.

A 16-year-old New Brunswick girl told police in Bridgewater, N.S., thatshe was moved from place to placeand sexually assaulted over the course of about a month.

TwoMaritimers face charges related to human trafficking in connection with the allegations.

Police said Friday the girl managed to escape early in the evening of Nov. 9 and called 911. She didn't know where she was, but she gave the dispatcher enough information that police were able to find her in the parking lot of a hotel on North Streetin Bridgewater.

"She was anxious and visibly shakingand she also had no identification or money," said Deputy Chief Danny MacPhee of the Bridgewaterpolice.

"She informed our officers that she was from New Brunswick and that she was staying with adults that had also been keeping her cellphone from her until that moment."

'This is serious trauma'

MacPhee said the girl told police she'd been with a construction crew that stopped at various hotels in different communities around Nova Scotia.

The girl is safely back in New Brunswick, he said.

"Our main worry was to make sure that she could be in a safe place and she could get the care she needed," said MacPhee.

"Asthe survivor of a sexual offence and as a youth, with the allegations being made, this is serious trauma that she went through."

2 people face charges

Police have charged two people: Bruce Nicholas Gilroy, 30, of Brookdale, N.S., and Chelsey Wilson, 28, ofMoncton, N.B.

They face charges including sexual assault, unlawful confinement, administering a noxious substance and recruiting a young person for the purpose of exploiting sexual services.

Gilroy and Wilson appeared in Bridgewaterprovincial court on Nov. 16 and were released on bail with strictconditions, including havingno direct or indirect contact with the complainant and not to be within 10 metres of her residence.

The complainant's identity is protected under a publication ban.

Gilroy and Wilson are expectedback in courtDec. 1 to enterpleas.

Bridgewaterpolice have enlisted the help of Nova Scotia's human trafficking unit because they believe the case may not be an isolated incident and could include other communities, including in New Brunswick.