Human Trafficking in North Carolina

“A North Carolina mother has been arrested for allegedky giving away her one-year-old daughter in exchange for a used car.

Thomasville Police booked Alice Leann Todd, 45, at her house on Wednesday, the same day they arrested Tina Marie Chavis, 47, and Chavis’ husband, Vicencio Romero, 53, at their home in the small city, located about 69 miles northeast of Charlotte.

The trio appeared in court to face felony charges of unlawful sale, surrender, or purchase of a minor on Thursday.

Investigators learned of the group’s alleged nefarious transaction after Wake Forest Baptist Health High Point Medical Center staffers called police on July 23.

The medical center also contacted child protective services the same day when Chavis showed up there with a two-year-old girl who had bruises on her body, telling doctors the child appeared to be having an allergic reaction.

The 47-year-old initially said she was the unnamed child’s mother, but she had no paperwork to back up her story. After investigators probed further, Chavis claimed she had adopted the toddler, police said.

Responding officers initially put the little girl in the care of a family member. The suspects’ arrest came after an estimated two-month investigation.

During that time, detectives discovered Chavis had acquired the child from Todd some time in 2018 – in exchange for an early 1990s Plymouth Laser Hatchback.

It’s still unclear why Chavis and her husband accepted a baby in exchange for a car or why the child’s mother agreed to the transaction in the first place.

Thomasville police did not immediately respond for calls or emails requesting comment Thursday night.

An ad for the 27-year-old blue sedan was posted on Edmunds.com, according to NBC News. The vehicle received a four out of five star rating from eight reviewers.

‘The Laser gains all-wheel drive as an option that greatly improves handling,’ the car’s page says. ‘Front and rear styling changes include headlights, tail lamps, and a new rear spoiler on turbo models.’

Police declined to provide an update on the child’s condition or location on Thursday. WXII-TV reported the little girl is safe and in the custody of a family member.

All three suspects are being held at Davidson County Jail on $50,000, court and jail records show. Each is scheduled to appear in court again on October 21.”

North Carolina mom, 45, ‘traded her one-year-old daughter for a 20-year-old USED CAR
[Daily Mail 10/4/19 by Chauncery Alcorn]

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