7 women, 3 teens face charges after Merced prostitution investigation

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Detectives say they had been monitoring the activity of the seven women over several weeks.

Investigators say all the women face prostitution charges, but one of them was also charged with pandering a girl under the age of 18. Authorities also say a 14-year old girl, a 15-year old girl, and a 17-year old girl were also arrested in the operation.

Authorities said the women arrested were offered services such as counseling and support from the Merced County Human Services Agency. Each of the juveniles contacted in these cases were removed from the environment and offered similar services before being returned to their guardians.