Kentucky Couple Accused of Paying Teenager in Marijuana for Babysitting Services

A couple from Kentucky have been arrested on suspicion of human trafficking after they allegedly paid a juvenile, who was responsible for caring for their three children, with marijuana, according to authorities.

On Aug. 18, the Department of Community-Based Services phoned police and requested help with an investigation at a residence in Scottsville, local authorities said.

Court documents show a 16-year-old was hired to babysit three children while the teenager's parents were at work.

The teenager lived with 34-year-old Trevor Johnson and 30-year-old Amber Caldwell at the time, police said.

Officials said Caldwell and Johnson made payment for the babysitting services to the 16-year-old in the form of marijuana.

Caldwell denied the allegation, and Johnson turned himself in to police, the Bowling Green Daily News reported.

Caldwell and Johnson both face charges of second-degree unlawful transaction with a minor, and the case currently is pending in Allen District Court, authorities said.

Police further investigated the case further, and on Oct. 2, Caldwell and Johnson were both charged with human trafficking - forced labor, victim younger than 18, BG Daily News reported.

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Both suspects were booked into Allen County Detention Center and were each being held on a $50,000 bond. They are next scheduled to appear in court on Oct. 11 for their arraignment.

Officials said the couple’s children have been removed from the home and the teenager is now with a relative in Tennessee.