Four women have been arrested and charged with trafficking a 17-year-old girl in Essex County, authorities announced Tuesday, Oct. 14.

The girl, reported as a runaway, contacted law enforcement last month seeking help, Essex County Prosecutor Theodore Stephens said. Detectives determined the girl had been trafficked and forced to engage in prostitution, Stephens said.

A multi-agency investigation led by the Essex County Prosecutor's Office identified four women involved.

Tajhane Thomas, a 29-year-old Newark resident, Leslie Martinez, a 34-year-old West Orange resident, and Amayah Dent, a 28-year-old Maplewood resident were arrested on Thursday, Oct. 9, Stephens said. A fourth defendant, Yaislene Arguedas, a 29-year-old Paterson resident, remains at large, Stephens said.

The women face

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