A Georgia hotel has agreed to pay $6 million to a survivor of child sex trafficking after failing to intervene while she was exploited on its property nearly a decade ago.
Dashaundra Hill was just 15 years old in 2015 when her half-sister trafficked her at the Super 8 Motel (now America’s Best Value Inn) in Decatur, Georgia. According to Hill, she was sold to dozens of men over several days while staff allegedly turned a blind eye.
“I felt like I was her slave for months on end, but I couldn’t get away,” Hill told Fox 5. “That was the hardest couple of months of my life.”
Hill’s ordeal ended when police raided the motel in September 2015 and rescued her. Years later, she filed a lawsuit against Tucker Inn Inc., the hotel’s owner, arguing they neglected their duty to protect her.
Hotel Settles After Similar Case Results in $40M Verdict
The case was nearing trial when Tucker Inn Inc. opted to settle for $6 million. The decision came shortly after attorney Patrick McDonough secured a $40 million jury verdict in a similar case against another Georgia hotel.
McDonough, who represented Hill, explained that hotels must take responsibility.
“All they really have to do is not rent to children. And if they see something suspicious, they need to call the police,” he said.
Hill, now an advocate for trafficking survivors, chose to make the settlement public to raise awareness.
“I hope [other survivors] are able to heal. I hope that they’re able to find their voice,” she said.
She plans to use part of the settlement to establish a safe home for trafficking survivors and support her young son.
Tucker Inn Inc. declined to comment on the settlement.
