Manchester mother charged with child trafficking
Published:Saturday | March 1, 2025 | 3:57 PM
A 45-year-old Manchester mother who allegedly exploited her teen daughter to be sexually assaulted at a bar in exchange for payment for alcohol has been charged with child trafficking.
The woman was charged by investigators assigned to the Trafficking in Persons Unit of the Counter Terrorism and Organised Crime Investigations Branch (C-TOC).
The police say the charge stems from an incident involving the exploitation and sexual assault of her 13-year-old child.
Reports are that in September 2020, the woman went to a bar with her child to get alcoholic beverages, however, she was unable to pay.
According to the police, in exchange for payment for the liquor, she orchestrated the sexual assault of her child by multiple men at the bar.
Following the incident, the child fled her home.
A report was made to the Child Protection and Family Services Agency (CPFSA), which brought the matter to the attention of the unit in 2024, which launched an investigation.
On Friday, February 21, 2025, the mother of the child was arrested and charged with the offence following an interview.
The men who allegedly assaulted the teen girl are still being sought by the police.
The head of the unit, Detective Inspector Kemisha Gordon, has reiterated the Jamaica Constabulary Force's pursuit of individuals who prey on the vulnerable.
"This is a serious matter, and we were unrelenting in our efforts to bring the accused into custody. Human trafficking is a violation of human rights that destroys lives and communities. No child should be subjected to exploitation, and no perpetrator should go unpunished," said Gordon.
“This arrest underscores our commitment to the safety of children and all citizens against human trafficking,” he added.
According to the Trafficking in Persons (Prevention, Suppression, and Punishment) Act, a child is defined as a person under the age of 18.
The possible maximum sentence for trafficking a child is 30 years’ imprisonment.
The police say the incident remains under active investigation as detectives work to identify and apprehend the other individuals involved in the crime.
They are urging anyone with information to contact the Trafficking in Persons Unit at C-TOC at 876-967-1389, Crime Stop at 311, the National Intelligence Bureau at 811, or the police 119 emergency number.
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