MISSING BEAUTY
Teen last seen in NY feared to be sex captive
A Pennsylvania teen has vanished in New York after accusing a reputed pimp of assault — and is believed to be in the clutches of a sex-trafficking ring, law-enforcement sources said.
Corinna Slusser, 19, — who was last seen at the Haven Motel in Rego Park, Queens, on Sept. 20 — filed a complaint on Aug. 25 against the unidentified “pimp” for allegedly beating her and trying to snatch money from her purse, according to a police source.
Slusser’s name has since “come up” during vice-crime investigations, according to the source, who declined to elaborate.
“I pray for her. I even pray for her captors. I pray they won’t hurt her,” Slusser’s mom, Sabina Tuorto, said Tuesday.
Slusser, whose Facebook page says she studies at Indiana University in Pennsylvania, was first reported missing in her home state.
But her family later found photos on Instagram that were posted two months ago. At least one appeared to place her in The Bronx, as it shows an unknown person smoking a suspicious-looking cigarette.
Slusser’s mom pleaded on Tuesday for her safe return.
“I want her to know we all love her. I want her to know that, by no means are we embarrassed of what she’s done,” Tuorto said. “We just want her home and safe.”
Her family is heartbroken over her disappearance, she said.
“We’re all hurting and all scared for her,” Tuorto said. “She’s a beautiful girl and she got herself into trouble.”
Last week a friend posted a plea on Facebook, saying Slusser had contacted cops about abuse in the Big Apple.
“She filed an emergency protection from abuse while living in New York with a man,” the friend wrote, according to Patch.com. “She is originally from Bloomsbury [Pa.]. She is a very active social media user and has not posted in weeks.”
The NYPD, which released a photo of her Monday, is on the lookout for the teenager, who has blond hair, blue eyes and is 5-foot-6.
Slusser weighs approximately 140 pounds and has a large black flower tattoo in the middle of her chest, police said.
Anyone with information is asked to call the NYPD’s Crime Stoppers hot line at (800)-577TIPS (8477).