A grand jury indicts an Ohio County woman on human trafficking and sexual abuse charges.
The Ohio County Sheriff’s Office says it has been investigating allegations of child sexual and physical abuse at the Horse Branch home of Shelly Hayes, 37, since May 23. Hayes is the mother of seven children, six who are currently under the age of 18.
Through an investigation, the sheriff’s office says it determined Hayes had allegedly been physically abusing her children for several years and even injuring them on some occasions.
The sheriff’s office also says Hayes’ children told her that they had been sexually abused several times by multiple men that Hayes had brought to her home. Hayes failed to notify law enforcement of the reported abuse.
It was determined by detectives that Hayes’ children had been sexually abused over the course of several years. It is alleged that Hayes received payment from one of the perpetrators as long as she allowed the male to continue to have access to the children.
A person of interest is also being sought by law enforcement and is believed to be outside of the county.
Hayes was arrested on May 23. The grand jury indicted her on human trafficking, multiple counts of sexual abuse, sodomy, rape, and criminal abuse.