BLOOMINGTON — Police say age didn’t stop a 14-year-old girl from prostituting herself online.

She may have gotten away with it, too, except the wife of one of her potential johns saw text messages from the girl on her husband’s cell phone. Bloomington Police say they’re not necessarily surprised at the charges or the age of the person involved. They just want to get that person help. It started with a text for sex, police say. That led  a wife to question her husband and Bloomington police to question a teen.

“The texts were for sexual intercourse for money by 14-year-old,” says Bloomington Police Capt. Steve Kellams.

When the Bloomington woman found the texts, she knew they were from a minor and called police.

“I can say it is something we are very concerned about and want to make sure we put a stop to as quickly as possible,” said Kellams.

Police got search warrants for the teen’s cell phone and Facebook page. They searched other social media, as well.

It’s the second time in two months evidence of a possible sex crime found on a phone sparked an investigation in Bloomington. In January, police say a man had photos of a nude, unconscious woman on his cell. When a female friend saw them she called police. He’s now charged with raping the woman in those photos.

In the new case of the 14-year-old, police don’t think a sex act for cash occurred yet.

Police say it’s really not all about the prostitution and the prosecution. It’s about getting help for this young person.

“We do understand she had been acting out and having other issues in the past,” Kellams said. “The safety of all parties involved is very important to us. Which is why we wanted to get this into the system so she could get the help she needed.”

“What caused this girl to act out in this manner. People don’t just wake up one morning and be prostitutes,” said Linda Alis, a clinical social worker in Bloomington.

She deals with victims of sex crimes and related sexual issues.

“First thing that comes to my mind is, ‘Is this girl reacting to some kind of use?’ Physical, sexual or what,” Alis said.

Police say the investigation is still going on. They also say if you find evidence of a possible crime on someone’s computer or cell phone don’t keep it a secret — call police.