Dr. Teresa Merriweather wishes she had recognized the signs sooner, and had been able to tell the difference between being preyed upon and being prayed upon.

As an adult survivor of human sex trafficking, Merriweather said she was blinded when an older man who held a prominent position at her church took an interest in her.

Merriweather, 44, who was raised in Elyria but now lives in Mahoning County, shares her story as a sex trafficking survivor as often as she can and says if she wasn’t able to spot the red flags, it’s likely many others cannot either.

Her mission is to change that by sharing her story far and wide.

Her background in criminal justice and law enforcement wasn’t enough — she fell prey to a man named “Bob,” whom she said groomed her, showering her with gifts and cash.

T

See Full Page