An American couple accused of trying to sell their twin baby daughters for £4,000 have claimed it was simply a joke that got out of hand.
Zackary Davis and Jacquilyn Keith from the state of Kentucky are both in jail after allegedly attempting to sell their two newborns. They were arrested on Monday and are being held in the Jackson County Detention Center on human trafficking-related charges.
From behind bars, the couple have now issued their defence, claiming that it has all been a misunderstanding; selling their duaghters was a joke they didn’t think people would take seriously.
Davis claims a relative was watching the girls while he and Keith were renovating their home. He said: “[We] Went out there every day. Brought money, food and diapers. Got to see my kids a couple of hours, went back to work.
“She said, ‘I give you five grand.’ I said, ‘ha, ha, yeah, you can have my kids for five grand’.”
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Davis’ sister-in-law did not see the funny side, however, and contacted the police, confirming that the couple did in fact intend to sell their children. Officers say they have screenshots of messages and recordings that back up the sister-in-law’s claims.
According to the police report, Keith told officers that Davis’ relatives manipulated him into giving them permission to keep the babies. Keith said from her cell: “Hopefully, they will see the mess that is going on, and we don’t have to do prison time for something we didn’t do.”
“I have five kids. If I sold a kid, I would not have five. I watch kids my entire life. I have kids with me or near me my entire life. I have always been responsible for somebody’s kids.”
Davis reiterated this, saying the case is “corrupt” and has “stolen” his kids from him. He said: “I am trying to get the word out there that this is all corrupt, and I had my kids stolen from me. They have took my kids from me.”
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Jackson County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Zachary Bryant told WKYT: “Fortunately, this is the first time I’ve ever had to charge this, and hopefully I never have to charge it again.”
Social services now have custody of the twin babies and have placed them in another home, according to the police. Davis and Keith are still in jail on a £8,000 bond.
The couple are due in district court on Monday, and so far neither has entered a plea or listed a defence lawyer.