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
Hackers release corporate data stolen from London Drugs
Retailer London Drugs says cybercriminals who stole files from its corporate head office last month have released some of the data after it refused to pay a ransom.
Toronto man falls off his chair after seeing $70M Lotto Max win in his bank account
A Toronto man who won $70 million in a recent Lotto Max draw literally fell off his chair when he saw the funds in his bank account.
Montreal-area high school students protest 'sexist' dress code
Approximately 50 Montreal-area students — the vast majority of them female — were suspended Wednesday after their school deemed the shorts they were wearing were too short. On Thursday, several students staged a walk-out to protest what they believe is a "sexist" dress code that unfairly targets girls.
Oilers' Henrique, Stars' Hintz out for Game 1 of West final
Top-line Dallas Stars centre Roope Hintz will still be out of the lineup for the Western Conference Final opener Thursday night against Edmonton, which is still without forward Adam Henrique.
'Looking over our shoulders': A killing looms large in a little B.C. town
Something shifted in the pretty little village of Lumby, B.C., after Tatjana Stefanski vanished. It used to be the sort of place where parents let their kids roam free or play in the local creek, but everything has changed.
What is 'slapped cheek disease' and should parents be concerned?
Despite its rough name, experts say most cases of 'slapped cheek disease' are mild and not a cause for concern.
American Airlines retreats after blaming a 9-year-old for not seeing a hidden camera in a lavatory
American Airlines has distanced itself from a court filing in which the carrier said a nine-year-old girl should have noticed there was a camera taped to the seat of an airplane lavatory.
Unknown Newfoundland soldier from the First World War heads back home from France after 100 years
Canadian soldiers and government officials arrived in northeastern France this week for a historic mission: returning an unknown Newfoundland soldier back home.
Calgary Philharmonic takes action following investigation into 'deeply troubling' comments by 2 musicians
The Calgary Philharmonic has confirmed its taking action after controversial online comments made by two members of the orchestra.