2 Accused Of Trafficking Children In Hartford: Police

HARTFORD, CT — City police said Wednesday they have charged two suspects in connection with an alleged juvenile sex-trafficking operation following a months-long investigation.

The Hartford Police Department said its Special Investigations Division began the probe in September 2025 alongside the Regionalized Human Trafficking Recovery Task Force after receiving reports of juvenile trafficking.

Detectives determined the suspects were involved in an organized scheme that advertised juveniles online and used local motels to facilitate trafficking, police said in a release.

Investigators also found that coercion and threats of violence were used to control victims, police said.

According to police, authorities developed probable cause to charge Akeem Harris, a male from Waterbury, and Shai Broaden, a Hartford woman.

Arrest warrants were approved by a Superior Court judge.

Harris was taken into custody on Dec. 23, 2025, without incident and held on a $1 million bond, police said.

Broaden, who was already incarcerated on unrelated matters, was presented with the new charges on March 3 in Hartford Superior Court and also held on a $1 million bond.

Both face two counts of trafficking in persons and two counts of risk of injury to a minor under Connecticut law.

Police said the investigation remains active, with additional arrests anticipated.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Hartford Police tip line at 860-722-TIPS.

For more information on the case, click on this link.