Key facts
- Kristen Galvan was a 15-year-old victim of sex trafficking and murder.
- Her mother is criticizing law enforcement for failing to protect her daughter.
- Law enforcement took over six years to identify Kristen Galvan's remains.
- Kristen's body was found in 2020.
- Advanced DNA testing was used to identify her remains.
The mother of Kristen Galvan, a 15-year-old victim of sex trafficking and murder, is publicly criticizing law enforcement agencies for what she describes as failures to protect her daughter and for an extensive six-year period before her remains were identified. Kristen's body was found in 2020, but it took advanced DNA testing to confirm her identity, a process that spanned over half a decade after her death. The mother's statements point to significant shortcomings in the handling of her daughter's case, including a lack of timely action and a prolonged period of uncertainty regarding Kristen's fate. This delay has exacerbated the family's grief and frustration, underscoring the critical need for effective law enforcement response in cases involving vulnerable youth and severe crimes. The case also brings to light the challenges associated with identifying victims, particularly when remains are discovered long after the initial crime and may have undergone decomposition or other natural processes.