TROY, Mich. (WXYZ) — Troy police say an alleged human trafficking incident reported on social media was fabricated.
The incident was reported to have occurred on Dec. 1 in at the Kroger located near John R. and Big Beaver.
Police say the social media post was circulated widely. Police say they intend to restore the community's sense of safety and alleviate any concerns about shopping at Kroger.
They note that the post was not reflective of how human trafficking occurs. Traffickers typically target vulnerable teenagers and conduct a grooming process over time. The process often begins online. Police say kidnappings in a crowded store, parking lot or other location are virtually unheard of, and not something that have ever been reported to Troy Police.
"Please be assured that the Troy Police Department takes the responsibility of communicating public safety issues to the public very seriously," the department said in a Facebook post.
