A suburban Detroit couple have been arrested on human trafficking and prostitution charges after authorities say the pair hired out a mentally disabled woman for sex while forcing her to live in a shed.
The Macomb County Sheriff’s Office says 30-year-old Misty George and her boyfriend, 38-year-old Michael Welch, were arraigned on the charges Tuesday.
George, a stay-at-home mother, also is charged with using computers to commit a crime.
Misty George (left), 30, and her boyfriend Michael Welch (right), 38, have been charged with human trafficking and prostitution for allegedly pimping out a special-needs woman for sex
Additional charges are pending against Welch stemming from his failed attempt to flee after his arraignment and leading officers on a brief foot chase.
According to investigators, relatives of the victim, who has both mental and physical disabilities, contacted police last month after she managed to leave the Macomb Township mobile home park where the couple lived with their young daughters and learned what had happened to her.
George and Welch allegedly advertised the vulnerable victim online and took money from several men who paid to have sex with her.
According to the sheriff’s office, Welch and George had initially taken in the special-needs woman into their home at the Westbridge Manor mobile home park in Macomb Township, but when she was unable to come up with rent money, they moved her into the shed.
Parents: The couple have a young daughter together and live in a trailer home
The victim was not allowed in the couple’s trailer to use the restroom or shower.
It is unclear how long she was in the shed, but a sheriff’s official said the entire ordeal lasted a couple of months.
The alleged human trafficking scheme came to light on September 12 when the victim’s family members reached out to law enforcement.
George’s bond was set at $75,000 and her boyfriend’s at $50,000. Both are due back in court on October 24.