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Teen at center of Amber Alert now detained, 5 in custody amid human smuggling investigation

A mother told investigators a smuggler left with her son when she didn't have enough money to pay. The son was later found to be 18 rather than 16.

HARALSON COUNTY, Ga. — The teen at the center of an early morning Amber Alert on Monday was rescued and five people are in custody in what the Haralson County Sheriff's Office called a possible human smuggling situation. 

They said the teen, originally thought to be 16 years old, was rescued at the Alabama Welcome Center just across the Georgia state line on Interstate 20.

The sheriff's office said the mother paid to have her son brought into the country. She planned to meet the suspects at the Welcome Center but did not have enough money, so the smuggler took the teen back. 

The mother called 911 to make the report and authorities in Haralson County soon contacted the GBI to initiate the Amber Alert.  Several agencies joined the search before the suspects and van were found just over the Alabama state line. Five people, including a pregnant female, were taken into custody in Cleburne County, Alabama.

However, authorities soon learned that the son at the center of the Amber Alert was actually 18 years old. As such, he is now being detained in Haralson County.

Because the incident is being treated as a case of human smuggling - and involves multiple jurisdictions - Homeland Security is now involved and, according to the Haralson County Sheriff's Office, will be responsible for filing any charges. 

   

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