Troopers: Human trafficking victim gives birth after she was sold by own father

BEAVER DAM, Ky. (WFIE) - A Beaver Dam man is charged with human trafficking after Kentucky State Police say he sold his daughter.

Troopers say they, along with social services, launched an investigation after they learned the young girl gave birth back in March.

KSP officials say the girl was sold to another man in August of 2020 and had been living with him. State troopers say they believe that man is the father of the baby.

This man is charged with rape.

Both men are in the Ohio County Jail.

Troopers say the victim and her baby are now in foster care.

14 News has decided not to name the men in an effort to protect the identity of the victim.

“It’s really disheartening, because we have for many years put the monster’s face on technology,” Kentucky State Police Trooper Corey King said. “Technology seems to be where all of these people tend to find our children, but in this situation, this was parents.”

King says this case is unlike any one he’s seen.

“Parents sold their child,” King said. “That in itself is new for us here, but it’s scary overall because now do some of these monsters have a face of a parent? That’s really scary to me as a parent.”

This contributes to an already alarming human trafficking statistic in the Tri-State.

“Kentucky ranks 26th in population, but we’re ninth in human trafficking,” King said. “That is telling, that in ‘Small Town USA’ we have these problems here and in somewhat of a large scale.”

King says it’s not just children, claiming that many victims in his investigations are adults.

“Anything that simply looks out of place, regardless of what crime it could follow under, if there is something not right - your eyes could save lives,” he said.

Troopers say the investigation is ongoing and there could be more charges and arrests.

Kentucky State Police say these are the signs of human trafficking to look for:

• May show signs of physical or mental abuse
• May not have control over their own money, ID or personal possessions
• May not be able to speak on their own behalf or unable to leave on their own
• May appear to be fearful or submissive
• May not know what city or state they are in, or where they are living
• May work excessively long hours
• Can be found in restaurants, farming, massage parlors and soliciting at hotels, parking lots or house to house

If you suspect anyone is involved or a victim of human trafficking, there is a Kentucky hotline you can find here.

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