MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. – A woman previously arrested in March for human trafficking is back behind bars after authorities say she continued those same activities involving a minor late last year.
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According to an arrest report from the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office, Liliannet “Lili” Betancourt, 33, was arrested Tuesday in connection with the sex trafficking of a minor at a southwest Miami-Dade hotel, marking her second trafficking-related arrest this year.
The latest arrest stems from incidents that deputies say occurred on Dec. 7, 2024, at the WoodSpring Suites Hotel, located at 16055 SW 117th Ave., where Betancourt operated as a “bells bottom,” a term for a senior figure in trafficking operations.
This arrest follows Betancourt’s March charges related to when detectives say she trafficked a vulnerable immigrant mother and a pregnant teenager at the same hotel.
According to detectives, the victim in that case had crossed the U.S.-Mexico border with her husband and four children while pregnant last year.
After becoming separated from her husband in Miami Springs and losing custody of her children to the Department of Children and Families, deputies said the woman was lured into trafficking by Betancourt and 36-year-old Philbrine “Dolla” Bell with false promises of helping her secure housing to reunite with her children.
In the most recent case, investigators say Betancourt coordinated commercial sex encounters for a minor victim, handling both cash and digital payments via CashApp. The underage victim never received any of the proceeds, according to the report.
Authorities say Betancourt managed hotel room rentals where the illegal activities took place.
Following her latest arrest, deputies said she was transported to MDSO’s South District Station, where she invoked her right to remain silent.
Jail records show Betancourt is facing one count each of human trafficking a minor, deriving support from the proceeds of prostitution, unlawful use of a communications device and using or renting a space for prostitution.
As of Wednesday, she is being held without bond at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center.
Investigators believe there may be additional victims and urge anyone with information to contact MDSO or the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 888-373-7888.
