14-Year-Old Protsituted out of Cranston Home

A 14-year-old runaway from Pawtucket was allegedly being sold for sex to area men by a 21-year-old Providence woman who served as her madam, according to police.

Now, Nicole Ferreira, 21, of 113 Ridge St., Providence, is facing charges of sex trafficking of a minor, prostitution and contributing to the delinquency of a minor after she allegedly set up sexual encounters with upwards of 50 men with the teen girl, whose image was found on several sex-for-hire Web sites after police were tipped off that the 14-year-old runaway could be found.

Police found the girl inside the house at 125 Westwood Ave., in the Edgewood section of the city, close to the Providence line, along with several other women.

The person who answered the door at the house earlier this week declined comment.

According to an affidavit filed in District Court, Ferreira posted photos and ads of the girl on the Internet and kept a portion of the money they made selling the teenager for sex to men from Pawtucket, Providence and Cranston.

The teenager went missing in August and once police began looking for her on the escort Web sites, they soon found sexually suggestive pictures of her, often with other girls, in ads posted for sex.

A detective, posing as a customer, got in contact with Ferreira as he tried to locate the teen. Ferreira eventually admitted knowing the girl and led police to the Westwood Avenue home.

The teenager told police that Ferreira was in charge of the operation and set up the meetings with the men.

In the affidavit, Ferreira later told police that she knew the girl was young but claimed she wasn't responsible for her actions.

"I just post the info and take the calls," she said.

Ferreira was arraigned and release on $50,000 surety bail and is due to appear in court on Feb. 4.