Human Trafficking Claim Has 'No Merit'

CANTON, MI — Despite a Canton man’s claims that his wife and daughter were nearly abducted from a Michigan Avenue Target store for human trafficking purposes last month, township police say his story doesn’t appear credible. The man made the claim in a Facebook live video over the weekend, according to multiple media reports.

In the video, he said he was trying to bring awareness about human trafficking. “It could have become a very severe situation for our family,” he said. “This is a real, real thing going on in Michigan. We are the No. 2 state for human trafficking and it’s happening all over.”

Canton Police have investigated the alleged incident and “found nothing to substantiate it through our investigation," Deputy Chief Craig Wilsher told the Canton Observer.

>>>Trial Set For Canton Woman In Human Trafficking Case

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WJBK-TV reported that the Facebook video received more than 500,000 views before being removed. Lt. Scott Hughesdon told the television station the incident, which is alleged to have occurred on Sept. 20 at the Target store near the corner of Beck Road and Michigan Avenue, was at most “a suspicious situation.”

Wilsher said the woman was not approached by anyone in the Target parking lot and there were no conversations. He told the Observer there was “no merit” to the man’s claim.