Overview
- Thai authorities announced the arrest of the 29-year-old mother after her transfer from Taiwan and detention at Bangkok’s airport on December 23.
- Police say the mother brought her then-12-year-old daughter to Japan in June and left her to work at private-room massage parlors that offered sexual services.
- The girl was moved among as many as five shops before seeking help alone at the Tokyo Immigration Bureau in mid-September.
- Investigators report the mother previously worked at the same establishments and deny her claim that she did not know the conduct was criminal.
- A family support organization says the child is expected to return to Thailand early next year for placement in a protective facility, while charges carrying up to about 20 years in prison proceed.