READING, Pa. - Authorities in Berks County say they are glad a missing Reading teen has been found alive.
"We are aware that this 15-year-old was reported missing in June of 2024 from Reading. We are aware of that. We had taken many efforts to locate her. Those efforts to locate were unsuccessful," said Berks County District Attorney John Adams.
Court paperwork paints a disturbing picture, with officers from the High Point, North Carolina, Police Department arresting 32-year-old Joseph Rossomando, who police say lived in the home where the girl was found. He's charged with human trafficking, kidnapping, statutory rape, sexual exploitation of a minor and related offenses.
"We're also aware she was needed in Lebanon County to testify in a case. Lebanon County authorities were also looking for this teenage girl," Adams said.
Will any charges be filed against the North Carolina man here in Berks?
"We're not aware of any criminality involved with this teenager leaving the city of Reading in June of 2024," said Adams.
Adams says her family is aware of her being found and she is currently receiving services in North Carolina. How did she come in contact with this person? What were the circumstances surrounding her leaving the area?
"There's a lot of unanswered questions that we hope to get answered in the next week or so, but we're not gonna speculate," Adams added.