Authorities in the town of Liberal, Kansas, continue to investigate the alleged trafficking and rape of a 13-year-old Texas runaway, with one suspect facing a string of charges in connection with the case.   

According to a news release on its Facebook page, the Liberal Police Department stated that the girl, who had reportedly run away from her home in Denton, was approached by two Liberal men, both 63, at a local eatery. 

“After they arrived in in Liberal, Kansas, the 13-year-old girl reported she was forcefully raped by one of the 63-year-old men,” the department said in its release last week. 

The investigation quickly escalated into a probe into potential rape and human trafficking as authorities executed a search warrant for a property in the 800 block of South Lincoln Ave., Liberal, according to the police department. 

“This man also told her he was going to prostitute the girl out to other people who would pay them good money,” police said in the release. According to the release, the girl was located last week in the 1000 block of South Kansas Avenue. 

“According to the girl, the suspect had several visitors while she was in his home,” police said.  

KAKE ABC News reported last week that one suspect has been booked on charges of rape, aggravated human trafficking, aggravated kidnapping, aggravated interference with parental custody, aggravated intimidation of a victim and aggravated indecent liberties with a child.

According to the KAKE report, authorities have not released the name of the suspect charged in connection with the case. The Liberal Police Department noted in the release that anyone with information can contact detective Conner Cook at 620-626-0141.

The University of Texas noted in a 2016 report that at any given time in the Lone Star State, there are more than 78,000 minors and youths who are victims of human trafficking, and more than 234,000 individuals who are victims of labor trafficking.