Child Trafficking: 3 Family Members Arrested

COUNTRY CLUB HILLS, IL —Three family members were indicted on a labor trafficking conspiracy charge after authorities say they forced two West African children, ages 12 and 14, to work in suburban Chicago.

Nawomi Awoga, 71, of Hazel Crest, and her two daughters, Marina Oke, also known as Marina Fandohan, 34, of Country Club Hills and Assiba Lea Fandohan, 31, of Hazel Crest, are charged with conspiracy to conceal, harbor and shield from public detection, two West African Children from the country of Benin, according to the U.S. Attorney's office. They're also accused of using threats of serious harm to force the children to do labor.

The mother and daughters were arrested Monday. Awoga was expected to make a court appearance Wednesday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Young B. Kim. Daughters Oke and Fandohan were scheduled to appear at detention hearings at noon Thursday.

According to the charges, Awoga taught the victims — who at the time were 12 and 14 years old — to lie to U.S. immigration authorities about family relationships to obtain tourist visa for the United States. Once in the U.S., both defendants were harbored in Country Club Hills and Hazel Crest. The victims were forced to provide child labor and other services for the defendants' financial gain, according to U.S. Attorneys Office.