Trafficking the Disappearance of Lily Rose Flannery: Based on Many True Stories

by Rachael Elizabeth Lee

  I tell Meghan to get dressed as quickly as she can. I am searching for Carl’s keys I am not sure if the deadbolt is locked. I find them and I also find his cell phone.

  I call 911 from the lock screen, and I alert the dispatcher that Meghan and I are being held against our will. I inform the 911 dispatcher of my name and Meghan’s name. I let her know I beat the shit out of the man that abducted us. I tell her he is bleeding badly. She asks me “if Carl is breathing?”

  I try to explain to her that I don’t know. I let her know we are leaving the building he was holding us in. Meghan and I leave that God forsaken room. I close the door behind me and inform the lady on the line I restrained Carl.

  She asks me my location and what number I am calling from. I scream at her I don’t know! She keeps asking questions trying to console me.

  Meghan, and I run down the long hallway I can see the exit sign in the distance. I can see freedom. We run up the stairs into another hallway on the first floor. Meghan is struggling to keep up. I will not leave her behind I yell at her to keep running. There are several doors I think they are people’s homes. We keep running straight not looking back. I can see a large foyer and the front doors. We run through the first door and the second door. We are outside, I am blinded by the sun. I don’t have time to let my eyes adjust.

  Meghan, and I begin to run up a hill towards a red light. She is struggling and I am too. I can feel the pavement beneath my bare feet. I can feel the flesh ripping from my feet. I cut my foot on some broken glass, but I have to keep running. We get to the intersection, and go right. There is a store we run in and into the back of it. We find an office the door it is unlocked. I lock Meghan and I in the office. I hear pounding on the door and a voice saying we can’t be in there. The voice states to us that we need to come out now I refuse. The voice says he is calling 911 and I tell him I am on the phone with 911.

  The dispatcher asks me where we are? I say I do not know. I ask if the police are on their way?

  She informs me the manager of the establishment we ran into is on the phone with 911 and police are on their way. I am winded I ask her to call my parents. She tells me no. She lets me know I can call them when the police arrive.

  I see a phone on the desk. I pick it up and wait for a dial tone. I hope the store clerk is on his cell phone.

  I hand the cell phone to Meghan so she can speak with the 911 dispatcher. Meghan lets the dispatcher know that she is sick.

  I hear the dial tone; my hands are shaking. I begin to dial my Daddy’s cell number. I hear it ringing, then I hear his voice. I start to scream Daddy I am alive; I LOVE YOU! Oh my God I love you.

  I hear my Daddy calling for my Mommy saying “Patricia, Lily’s alive, she is alive.”

  I hear my Mom screaming and asking “Lily Rose, where are you?”

  I tell them I don’t know! I tell them how much I Love them.

  I continue to speak with my parents with tears running down my face. I cannot contain my emotions I ask about Gabriel. Then Meghan and I hear pounding on the door. It was loud enough to wake the dead. Two voices introduced themselves as the police. I ask Meghan to make sure it really is the police with 911. The dispatcher confirms and I slowly open the door.

  The officers are stunned when they see me. I am covered in Carl’s blood and they ask me “miss, are you hurt?”

  I say no. Meghan is covered in blood too; they ask her if she is injured. She tells them “no, I am just sick.”

  I am in shock I begin to cry even more. I am hysterical. I am scared and I am also relieved. Meghan tells the officers where we came from and gives them Carl’s name. She gives them the number on the building and Carl’s apartment number.

  She points them to the street we came from. I let the police know Carl is on the lower level and the very last room on the left and he is injured. I ask one of the officers to call my Mom and Dad and to let them know where I am going. I can see two ambulances are waiting for us. They try to place me in the ambulance alone and I let them know I am not leaving without Meghan.

  After some resistance from me I am assured that Meghan and I will be going to the same hospital. Through all the confusion I ask one of the officers where we are and he says that we are in Marin. I am close to home.

  I am placed on a gurney and asked so many questions by the paramedics. The paramedic starts to place an IV in my arm. I am still frantic I am on high alert. My senses are hyper active and I cannot seem to get a grip. While the rational part of me knows I am safe. I am still terror-stricken of Carl and what he will do. I am informed that I am going to Marin General Hospital.

  We arrive at the hospital I am taken in through the ambulance bay. I am not made to wait; the nurse takes my vitals and my health history. She draws some blood. I try my best to answer her but I am overwhelmed, I cannot stop crying. My cries turn into a bellow, then into a roar and then shouting. I cannot control what is happening, I cannot control my feelings. She draws more blood and the doctor comes in and orders me a sedative. He also orders me pain killers for my physical pain.

  He asks me “what the date is? What happened to bring you in today? Is that your blood? Do you have any physical injuries other than on your feet?”

  “I don’t know” is my response. He asks about the president. I tell him it is Donald Trump. The doctor tells me it is Friday November 3, 2017.

  My response is that I need to call my parents. I explain to the doctor everything that happened to me. I am assured that my parents have been called and are on their way. The doctor tells me he needs to make sure I don’t have anything in my system and to hang in there.

  They need me to calm down. One of the nurses tries to leave and I beg her to stay. I don’t want to be left alone. She holds my hand and promises me I am going to be alright. I ask her what her name is. It is Stephanie. Stephanie is stunning she has long gorgeous black hair, green eyes, pouting full lips, high check bones, a slender body and a perfect nose.

  The doctor returns and the process of the rape exam is started. I have more blood drawn and I am told I cannot shower until I am photographed and the rape examination is complete. They need to swab the blood that is all over my body for DNA.

  My finger nails are scrapped for DNA. They remove my clothing and put my clothes in bags. I am photographed and they take my DNA. The doctor performs the rape exam and it is incredibly painful. He explains to me what each culture is for. I am whimpering throughout the entire process. The doctor can see that my vaginal area is torn and has deep abrasions in it. He does a pap smear too.

  They comb through my pubic hair. The doctor says he has to test for sexually transmitted diseases, but he already suspects that I will test positive. After the exam is over, he orders antibiotics for me. He orders an injection of Ceftriaxone, Penicillin and Zithromax pills he believes that one dose may be all that I need of the Ceftriaxone.

  The doctor explains, the Ceftriaxone is used mainly to treat gonorrhea. I consent to an HIV test and I have no issues signing the form. They treat the abrasions and the deep gashes on my feet. The whole process is agonizing. I cry out from all the pain.

  Before I am allowed to shower, I am asked to pee in a cup. Stephanie vocalizes that they need to run a pregnancy test. She gives me eight little bottles of baby shampoo and I get into a nice warm shower. The first warm shower I have had in months. I can see the blood running down my body and I begin to shampoo my hair. I wash every inch of my body making sure I get all of Carl’s blood off of me. I wash my hair two or three times. I wash my body repeatedly. I am photographed again and my bruises on my body are observed and detailed in my medical records. I am also photographed for the record. Stephanie gives me a gown to change into and a pair of underwear. I ask her for some sweatpants and socks. My feet are covered in surgical wrapping and it needs to be changed. It got wet in the shower. Stephanie changes out the gauze. I am freaking out I am terrified. I keep asking for my family I am so emotional.

  A short while later another nurse com
es in with some Diazepam, Morphine, antibiotics and some medication for nausea. She gives me the medication through my IV and a few minutes later I begin to relax. I take 2 Zithromax pills orally. I am told I have to take the Zithromax for 5 days. I will also need to take the Penicillin for 10 days. I feel so relaxed; I am high and my panic starts to fade. I ask Stephanie who is holding my hand “where is my family?”

  She says they are on their way. I ask her about Meghan. She says they took her to the pediatric unit. She assures me Meghan is okay. I tell her I need to see Meghan. I explain to her I want my family as my eyes fill up with tears. Stephanie gently caresses my forehead to calm me.

  Some time passes and a Detective enters my room. He announces himself as Detective James Allard with the San Francisco Police Department. He is there to ask me questions and needs a statement from me. Stephanie says that he needs to wait on his line of questions. I can’t give him a statement yet I need to rest. I ask the Detective where my parents are. I make it known that I need to see them.

  I can hear my Dad and Mom in the hallway. I hear the fear in their voices. They rush into my room. I am so happy to see them. I give them both the biggest hug and they are crying. I tell them I am okay! They are both stroking my hair and cannot believe I am with them.

  The Detective already knows my Mom and Dad. He states that he needs to get a statement from me. He gives me a business card and says he will wait out in the hall. I sit there with Mom and Dad; all I can tell them is I love them and I am sorry. I finally build up the courage to ask about Zack. Both Mom, and Dad will not answer me. They say Grandma, Grandpa, Aunt Dee and Uncle Mike are on their way from Oregon.

  They got on the first flight that they could find.

  Where is Gabriel?

  “Oh honey”, my Mom answers “Gabriel is in School.”

  Can someone take him out of school? I need to see my brother. Mommy please get him here!

  Daddy quickly responds and says to me “I will make some calls and get someone to pick him up.”

  “Thank you, Daddy!”

  I tell my parents I need to speak with the police. I have to tell them what happened to me.

  “Lily, are you sure that you are ready?”

  Yes Daddy, I need to talk with the Detective now.

  “Okay your Mom will get him.”

  Excuse me Detective Allard, Lily is ready to speak with you.

  “Sure, thing, I will be right in to speak with her.”

  The Detective enters my hospital room. He starts to ask me questions I am not sure if I can handle this. I ask him about Carl and he says that Carl is in critical condition. It is not clear if Carl is going to make it.

  After the questioning is done and I told him everything that happened. I write down my statement as well. I write down how Zack was shot in front of me and I was abducted by two men. Carl held me hostage in a basement and forced me to sleep with around twenty-five men a day sometimes more sometimes less.

  How I was beaten, starved, humiliated and chained to a bed in the beginning. I was also sodomized, forced to give oral sex and never let out of the room. I was beaten by these men and Carl. I write down how Carl was cruel. I tell Detective Allard I did not want to be there.

  I write about Meghan and how Carl showed up with her. I explain that I never tried to escape before she got there. I tell Detective Allard that Carl took my Pandora bracelet and I want it back because Zack gave it to me. At the end of the interview Detective Allard says that the F.B.I is involved. I would have to speak with them at some point.

  We are interrupted by the doctor who says that he can no longer question me. Before Detected Allard leaves, he states that Meghan, and I are incredibly lucky.

  “Only about 2% of girls who are trafficked make it out.” He explains that many of them die from drug overdoses, or are murdered. He gives me the statistics of people trafficked in the United Sates, and it is staggering.

  It makes me sick to think that people can do this to other human beings. I am disgusted! I do not feel bad for hitting Carl I had to do it. I feel like I do not care if he dies. There is a very small part of me that wants him to live because death is to easy. A very small part of me that wants him to go to prison for the rest of his life.

  As the doctor begins to speak with me, I can see that he is somber and I know it is not good news.

  “Lily, we got all your test results back. I have some bad news for you. Your HIV test came back positive, you tested positive for Gonorrhea, Syphilis, HPV and Chlamydia. We can start you on a regiment of antiviral drugs for the HIV. We gave you antibiotics for the Gonorrhea and the other sexually transmitted diseases. I know that you signed a consent form for us to speak with your parents. Would you like me to speak with your parents?”

  Yes, I cannot tell them. I do not know how to handle this news. I simply, ask when can I go home?

  “We want to keep you here for a few days re-run the STI tests and get you feeling better. How is your pain? “I am hurting and I am scared.”

  “Okay we will get you some more painkillers and some sedatives.”

  Thank you!

  “Hang in there kiddo, you are brave and strong. We have a psychologist coming down to speak with you. You need to start talking about everything that happened immediately. Everyone here is rooting for you Lily. I will go speak with your parents now.”

  Can Stephanie come back in?

  “Yes, of course she can dear.”

  Detective Everly:

  Hey Allard, Carl Booker did not make it. As of right now his death is being ruled as self-defense by the Marin Police and the District Attorney’s Office. He had multiple skull fractures, broken ribs and his spleen was lacerated according the Medical Examiner. Lily restrained him after she beat him. Would you like me to go speak with Lily?

  “No, Everly I will let her know.”

  “Hi Lily, how are you feeling?”

  I am not okay.

  “Lily, I need to tell you that Carl Booker did not make it. His death is being ruled as self-defense as of right now.”

  Will I be arrested?

  “No, Lily it is all over. When you get out of the hospital, I will need to re-interview you and take your statement again along with the F.B.I. We have spoken to Meghan and she gave us pretty much the same statements as you.”

  How is Meghan? What is going to happen to Meghan?

  “Meghan, is hanging in there she is tough. Meghan will more than likely be placed into foster care.”

  No, that cannot happen, she will wind up on the streets and back into the same situation. Please do not allow her to be placed into foster care! Please! Can’t you help her?

  “Lily, I promise you I will do my best.”

  Put her in protection, you guys can do that. “Lily, you need to understand it is not that simple.”

  Yes, it is, do not give up on her. She can come live with my parents and I. She can be protected; she witnessed crimes and was trafficked.

  “Lily, I promise you that I will make sure that Meghan will be safe.”

  With all due respect Detective Allard, I do not believe you. I do not believe you want to help Meghan. You will take her statement and throw her away like everyone else did in her life.

  “No Lily, I promise you I will not forget about her I will check on her.”

  I do not believe you Detective.

  Detective Allard leaves the room.

  I begin to think about Meghan. I know that she cannot go back into foster care. Meghan will never have a chance if that happens. She needs to be protected. No one has ever protected her before. I begin to cry and I am emotionally drained. I cry myself off to sleep my parents come back into my hospital room. Mom and Dad stay in the room with me all night. Holding my hand and caressing my forehead.

  When I awake the following morning my Mom, Dad, Gabe and the rest of the family are in my hospital room. Gabe my Aunt, Uncle, Grandma and Grandpa are all so relieved to see me. They cannot believe I am back.

  I c
an hear Stephanie’s voice before she enters my room. She is cheerful as she enters my room.

  “Hey pretty girl it looks like you are going home today!”

  Hi Stephanie, how are you? I thought I was going home in a few days?

  “I am good. No, darling you are going home today. You look so much better. I am so proud to have met you. You are a strong brave young lady. Everyone here is rooting for you. All the nurses made you a card!”

  Thank you it’s beautiful! This means so much to me! Stephanie thank you for being there for me. You are a special lady and I love you.

  “I love you too Lily and I will be seeing you. Understand?”

  Yes, I understand!

  Before I am released, I need to see Meghan. Stephanie tells me that Meghan is in surgery the doctors are repairing her broken bones. I ask Stephanie to please give Meghan a letter I wrote to her. Stephanie promises me that she will give Meghan the letter. Stephanie, please tell Meghan that I love her.