MACOMB TOWNSHIP, MI (WXYZ/CNN) – A Michigan couple faces charges of human trafficking and prostitution after they allegedly kept a disabled woman in their shed and forced her to perform sex acts for money.
According to Macomb County Sheriff’s Office, 30-year-old Misty George and her boyfriend, 38-year-old Michael Welch, were forcing a 29-year-old woman to stay in their shed.
The couple would not allow the woman, who had mental and physical disabilities, inside to use the bathroom or shower. They also took out ads online, and several men responded, paying money for sexual services from the victim.
Neighbors are stunned by news of the accusations against George and her boyfriend.
"I have no words for it. There are no words to express what she did to a person,” neighbor Tracy Byers said.
Byers has lived near and known George, Welch and their 3-year-old daughter for more than five years. She talked to them often, drove them places and was friends with George on Facebook. She says she never saw the victim.
"To find out that she was keeping somebody in a shed? How does somebody not know? I don't even understand it, especially how close we are to each other. The houses are close. Somebody had to see something,” Byers said.
Others in the neighborhood say they didn’t know anything like this was happening but got bad vibes from George.
"She was just strange but not strange to the point where you should call anybody or report her or anything,” neighbor Christian Thursam said.
The couple was arrested and charged with human trafficking and prostitution. George is being held on $75,000 bond, and Welch is being held on $50,000 bond.
"It's heartbreaking. It's heartbreaking. I feel so bad for that woman, and I feel so bad for their daughter who is so little,” Byers said.
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