ZEPHYRHILLS, Fla. — "Invisible Angels" are taking to the sky over Tampa Bay. It's a non-profit on a mission to help survivors of human trafficking, ensuring resources are never out of reach.
"This is really happening," Invisible Angels Director Ted Greenfield said. "This is slavery happening, and Florida is number three in the country."
According to data collected through the Florida Abuse Hotline, 2,100 cases of human trafficking were reported in Florida in 2023, with more than 1,600 involving children.
Commercial Pilot Ted Greenfield was in a bible study when he learned just how prevalent human trafficking is in the U.S.
"What shocked me is that children as well as adults are being bought and sold," he said. "It just really hit me like a lead pipe and coming home that night I thought, I just can't believe this is happening, I really want to get involved and do something."
He said his faith called him to help in the best way he knows how — from the seat of his cockpit.
After receiving a donated six-person plane, his non-profit "Invisible Angels" became an official airline earlier this year.
Greenfield has already shuttled several trafficking survivors, including one 8-year-old Tampa boy.
Greenfield describes getting that call for help.
"They tell me, 'It's an 8-year-old boy who has been abducted into a child pornography ring, an agent is with him there. We need you to pick up the mother and fly to where he is and bring him back. I said absolutely. We had him home by lunch the next day," he said.
Andrea Martone and the team at Sarasota-based Selah Freedom, a non-profit that aids human trafficking survivors, are partnering with Invisible Angels.
"The rescue of American boys and girls is critical and timing is everything," Martone said. "Having a pilot to rescue these girls in just a couple hours time is invaluable to get them off the streets, safe and into our safe homes."
Invisible Angels and Selah Freedom rely on donations to do their work.
If you'd like to learn more about supporting Invisible Angels, click here.
If you'd like to learn more about supporting Selah Freedom, click here.