Local law enforcement authorities are dispelling rumors that a 19-year-old who was last seen in Orange County was part of a human trafficking ring after the woman removed herself from the missing persons list while in Houston.
On Tuesday, the Orange County Sheriff’s Office reported that Marisia Burton, who was reported missing on December 25 in Orange County, spoke in person to Houston police.
During her conversation with police on Monday, January 2, Burton told authorities that she is not missing, is safe, and wants to be taken out of the missing person’s database.
Burton, who is originally from Houston Texas, had been in central Florida since January 2022 for the Disney College Program. She had been living in Winter Garden at Disney’s Flamingo Crossings East.
For over a week, rumors across social media suggested that Burton was part of a trafficking operation and was being held against her will. Dozens of members of the Houston community surrounded her and a vehicle she was transported in during her conversation with police on Monday.
“We have no reason to suspect foul play in this case. Please help stop the spread of misinformation,” reads a statement from the Orange County Sheriff’s Office.