<body><div><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=0I5lNR_0vmThTLn00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=0I5lNR_0vmThTLn00" width="1320" height="743" >TIGARD, Ore. (KATU) — A mother and daughter were indicted on Friday for allegedly holding three Haitian people, including a minor, in indentured servitude at Velida's, an adult foster care in Tigard, Oregon.Court documents revealed that the mother-daughter duo's trafficking scheme began in 2023 when they convinced two adults and a child from Haiti to travel to the United States to work at Velida’s.In early September 2023, the three victims arrived in Portland and were taken to Velida’s, where they were forced to work long, difficult hours for little or no pay.According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Oregon, Marie Gertrude Jean Valmont, 66, and Yolandita Marie Andre, 30, are charged in a seven-count indictment with conspiring with one another to commit forced labor, committing forced labor, and benefiting from forced labor.The mother and daughter made their first appearances in federal court on Friday. They both pleaded not guilty and were released pending further court proceedings.Upon returning home, they denied the charges to a KATU reporter who was waiting outside.Law enforcement alleged that Valmont and Andre took their victims’ immigration paperwork and forbade them from leaving Velida’s under any circumstances.The court documents also said the suspects threw items at the victims and threatened to send them back to Haiti and have them killed, and threatened to call the police and make false theft allegations against them.Valmont told a KATU reporter that was not true.According to court documents, Valmont and Andre made the Haitians work 17 hours or more a day.Andre said they weren't employees."They didn't come here. We hired other people to work. We only had two clients," she said.Andre said she herself immigrated to the United States."Having come to this country as a child, and all the things I've seen my mother experience, and being a person of color, being an immigrant, speaking English as a nonnative speaker, that's crazy. I am such an advocate for people in my community," she said.She said the three Haitians made the allegations as a ploy to stay in the country."I believe that the program is only good for two years, so they're trying to scramble because by next year, they'll have to go back to Haiti," Andre said.Both mom and daughter said they still helped their accusers out."I'm shopping food, clothes, everything for them," Valmont said. "Nothing satisfied them."In the summer of 2023, Oregon Department of Justice authorities were alerted of the situation after the minor victim disclosed to a pediatrician of her indentured servitude. After this report, the minor was removed from Velida’s and placed in a foster home.On Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024, the FBI arrested Valmont and Andre at Velida’s.An employee at the adult care center told KATU on Friday they no longer have clients, so the owners are letting the mother and daughter stay at their house."Well, I've been here, and they have been so nice to me, especially the daughter, she's a very nice lady," the employee said.Court records show the jury trial is set to begin Nov. 26.According to law enforcement, committing and benefiting from forced labor are both punishable by up to 20 years in federal prison per count of conviction.If you or someone you know are victims of human trafficking or have information about a potential human trafficking situation, please call the National Human Trafficking Resource Center (NHTRC) at 1-888-373-7888 or text 233733. NHTRC is a national, toll-free hotline, with specialists available to answer calls from anywhere in the country, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You can also submit a tip on the NHTRC website.If you believe a child is involved in a trafficking situation, you can also submit a tip via the National Center for Missing &amp; Exploited Children’s (NCMEC) CyberTipline or call 1-800-THE-LOST. FBI personnel assigned to NCMEC review information provided to the CyberTipline.This case was investigated by the FBI with assistance from the Tigard Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Eliza Carmen-Rodriguez, assistant U.S. attorney for the District of Oregon.</div></body>

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Mother and daughter charged in indentured servitude scheme at an Oregon foster care

TIGARD, Ore. (KATU) — A mother and daughter were indicted on Friday for allegedly holding three Haitian people, including a minor, in indentured servitude at Velida's, an adult foster care in Tigard, Oregon. Court documents revealed that the mother-daughter duo's trafficking scheme began in 2023 when they convinced two...