Alleged human trafficker at Ontario camp for vulnerable children seeks bail
An Essa Township couple at the centre of a human trafficking investigation appeared in court Wednesday.
Amber Maloney and her husband, Lauriston, were arrested last month and face several charges, including trafficking a person, forcible confinement and assault.
The investigation is sparking outrage in the community as Amber now seeks bail.
One woman, who doesn't want to be named, had strong words regarding the couple.
"They are animals, and they should be kept behind bars for the maximum amount of time that our Canadian law allows," she told CTV News at the Barrie Courthouse Wednesday.
Lauriston, a convicted sex offender according to police, faces several charges, including trafficking a person, assault and forcible confinement.
Amber is also charged with trafficking, administering a noxious substance and fraud over $5000.
She has owned Beating the Odds – an unlicensed camp for children on the autism spectrum at their Essa Township home on two acres of land – since last year.
They were both arrested a day after Lauriston defended himself on CTV News on July 18, when the OPP released a rare public safety advisory warning of his presence in the community, saying he lived at the home and had regular access to the children's camp.
"I'm not a predator. I'm not somebody who targets children. It is ridiculous what the police are doing," Lauriston said.
He admitted to running an escort service trafficking a 14-year-old girl in Mississauga in 2004.
"I was charged with living off the avails of a prostitute. I was charged with exercise control of a prostitute and procuring," Lauriston said.
He maintains the girl lied about her age.
As for his wife's business, Lauriston said he has nothing to do with the autism centre.
"Whoever is the one who gave the OPP the tip for them to get arrested, kudos. To the OPP, Nottawasaga OPP, well done," the unnamed woman told CTV News.
Lauriston returns to virtual court tomorrow from jail in Penetanguishene. Amber has a bail hearing scheduled for next week.
"I'm in the process of being retained for the matter, and the matter has been adjourned, and we're just getting the information right now about the case," said Robert Ratusny, who appeared as Amber's defence lawyer Wednesday.
"I can't say too much about it because I don't have the information. I know that the Crown Attorney is putting together a bail package, and we're going to go forward with that."
A publication ban has been imposed, protecting any evidence heard in court from being reported.
However, the OPP confirmed children of the Beating the Odds camp were not victims in this investigation.
The allegations against the Maloneys have not been tested in court.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canada's most wanted fugitive arrested in P.E.I. in connection with Toronto homicide
A suspect in a fatal shooting in Toronto’s east end last summer has been arrested in Charlottetown, just one week after he topped a list of Canada’s most wanted fugitives.
Poilievre unrepentant over calling Trudeau 'wacko' as his MPs say Speaker should resign
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre says he does not regret calling Prime Minister Justin Trudeau 'wacko,' and now his MPs are renewing calls for the House of Commons Speaker to resign, this time over ordering the Official Opposition leader to leave the chamber.
Wisconsin school district says active shooter 'neutralized' outside middle school
A Wisconsin school district said an active shooter was 'neutralized' outside a middle school in Mount Horeb on Wednesday, and no one inside the building was injured.
Concerns about plexiglass prompt inspections at some Loblaws locations in Ottawa
Inspections are underway at more than one Loblaws location in Ottawa after complaints were filed about tall plexiglass barriers.
Toddler of Phoenix first responder dies after bounce house goes airborne
A two-year-old child died after a strong gust of wind sent the bounce house he was in airborne and into a neighbouring lot in central Arizona, the Pinal County Sheriff's Office said.
Harvey Weinstein appears in court after his New York rape conviction was overturned
Harvey Weinstein was back in a New York courtroom Wednesday for his first appearance since an appeals court last week overturned his 2020 rape conviction and ordered a new trial.
Dental care program starts accepting claims for 1 million seniors
The first seniors to register with the new federal dental care plan can now start submitting claims.
Lawyers for man accused of killing 4 women to argue he's not criminally responsible
Lawyers for a Winnipeg man accused of killing four women say they plan to argue that he is not criminally responsible because he is mentally ill.
Stranded cruise passengers in Spain race to catch up with their ship
A month after eight Norwegian Cruise Line passengers were stranded in Africa when their ship left without them because they were late getting back, a U.S. couple – ages 84 and 81 – were also left behind by the cruise line in Spain.