A husband and wife, Zackary Davis, 23, and Jacquilyn Keith, 22, are facing accusations of attempting to sell their newborn twin daughters.
Court documents reveal that on March 18, the aunt of the children contacted the Johnson County Sheriff's Office, reporting that Davis and Keith had agreed to sell the twins for $5,000.
Evidence on the Selling of the Twin Girls to Their Aunt
Authorities stated that screenshots of the conversation between the aunt and Davis, along with video evidence, supported the allegations.
During an interview with the sheriff's office, Davis mentioned that his sister had been caring for the girls for approximately three weeks and would consistently persuade him to let them remain with her instead of taking them home. Court documents indicate that Davis admitted to making jokes about selling the twins to his sister.
Davis allegedly explained that he offered to sell the twins to the aunt earlier that day for $5,000 because he believed she would attempt to take the children regardless.
Meanwhile, Keith, interviewed separately, claimed that the twins were being withheld from her and asserted that Davis was being influenced into letting them keep the girls.
Keith mentioned offering to sell the children because she intended to bring the matter to court the following day, according to court records. When questioned about the motive behind this claim, Keith reportedly stated that she believed she was being framed.
The parents' phones were seized as evidence, and both Keith and Davis were arrested and booked into the Jackson County Detention Center on charges of promoting human trafficking.
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Couple Was Charged with Human Trafficking
Media reports assert that a Kentucky couple has been arrested and charged with promoting human trafficking after supposedly trying to sell their newborn twin daughters for $5,000.
Jackson County authorities took action against the 22-year-old female and 23-year-old male following a pursuit to sell their infants to a relative.
Chief Deputy Zachary Bryant of the Jackson County Sheriff's Office conveyed disappointment, saying it was the first time such charges had been pressed in the area and hoped it would be the last.
Bryant noted the small community size, emphasizing how this incident has deeply impacted the community. The couple's twins, less than a year old, were involved in the pursuit transaction. Despite efforts to reach out to the Jackson County Sheriff's Office for further details, USA TODAY did not get an urgent response.
The arrest report says that the man's sister-in-law notified authorities about the couple's agreement to sell the twins for $5,000.
The sister-in-law gave evidence, including screenshots and recordings of the proposed transaction. The couple professed to be negotiating the sale with the sheriff's office but refused intending to follow through with it.
Currently, the couple is confined at the Jackson County jail on $10,000 bonds each, as per inmate records. Their next court presence is set for March 25, according to court documents.
