Child Prostitutes Rescued in Alabama

WASHINGTON (AP) - The FBI rescued more than 45 suspected teenage
prostitutes, some as young as 13, in a nationwide sweep to remove
kids from the illegal sex trade and punish their accused pimps.
Birmingham was among 23 U.S. cities targeted over a three-night
initiative called Operation Cross Country. Federal agents working
with local law enforcement also arrested more than 50 alleged
pimps, according to preliminary bureau data.
The teenage prostitutes found in the investigation ranged in age
from 13 to 17.
The weekend's roundup marked the third such Operation Cross
Country, and is part of a broader federal program launched in 2003
to crack down on the sexual exploitation of children.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)