Three American teenage girls were detained in Germany and sent back to Denver after trying to join jihadis in Syria, a law enforcement official told ABC News on Tuesday.
The girls, who are all ages 15 and 16, were trying “to fulfill what they believe is some vision that has been put out on a slick media campaign” by Islamic State militants, the official said.
The girls have not yet been identified, and it remains unclear whether they will be charged.
“FBI Denver Division is aware of the situation and assisted with bringing the individuals back to Denver. The juveniles are safe and reunited with their families,” said FBI Denver spokeswoman Sue Payne, ABC News reported.
This is part of a disturbing trend of “disaffected youth” who are being radicalized and coaxed to join extremist ranks abroad. The official said there are other cases of high school-age kids trying to get to Syria that haven’t been made public, ABC News reported.
The announcement comes one month after 19-year-old Shannon Conley of Arvada, Colorado, pleaded guilty to charges that she conspired to help militants in Syria, The Associated Press reported.
• Jessica Chasmar can be reached at jchasmar@washingtontimes.com.
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