Woman accused of forcing girl, 14, into prostitution

HOUSTON – A Houston woman forced a 14-year-old girl to have sex with dozens of men, according to prosecutors.

Denise Coronado, 19, was charged Friday with compelling prostitution.

According to Harris County prosecutors, the girl told authorities that she was kidnapped while she was walking down the street and was held in a wooded area for five days. The girl said she was taken to a Houston motel, where she was introduced to Coronado. The girl said she was threatened and burned with a cigarette.

Coronado took a picture of the girl and advertised her for sex on Backpage.com, prosecutors said.

Prosecutors said the girl was forced to have sex with more than 24 men within a week, before she escaped.

Investigators said the 14-year-old is back at home with her parents and getting help.

"We're finding it more and more common. That's how pimps are selecting their victims. They find a child, a woman, a man, whoever that has little ties to their family," prosecutor Joanne Musick said.

Coronado was expected to appear Monday in court.

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