2 Charged In Human Trafficking Of Disabled Woman

(UPDATED) MACOMB COUNTY, MI — A pair of Macomb County residents have been charged with human trafficking involving a 29-year-old woman with both mental and physical disabilities, according to the Macomb County Sheriff’s Office. Misty George, 30, and Michael Welch, 38, were arraigned Tuesday afternoon at 41-A District Court in Shelby Township.

On Sept. 12, an anonymous complaint was made to the Macomb County Sheriff’s Office regarding alleged human trafficking in the Westbridge Manor mobile home park located near 21 Mile Road and Heydenreich Road in Macomb Township.

The Sheriff’s Office alleges that the 29-year-old woman was kept in a shed adjacent to the the couple’s mobile home. Police said she was not allowed in the home to use the restroom or shower.

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The suspects set up date advertisements for the victim through an online website, according to a Sheriff’s Office press release. Several men responded to and paid money to the suspects for sexual services from the victim, police said.

“Instead of helping this profoundly special-needs person, George and Welch took her support money, forced her to live rough in an outside shed, and sold her as a prostitute,” Macomb County Prosecutor Eric Smith stated in the release. “As your heart breaks for this vulnerable woman, your conscience is shocked by the abusive cruelty one human being is capable of showing to another.”

George was arraigned on three felony counts, including Human Trafficking – Forced Labor, Computers – Using to Commit a Crime and Prostitution/Accepting Earnings. She is currently being held on a $75,000 bond.

Welch is also facing felony Human Trafficking – Forced Labor and Prostitution/Accepting Earnings charges. Welch was given a bond of $50,000. He will also face additional charges for attempting to escape sheriff’s deputies.

George and Welch will be back in court on Oct. 24.

Photo courtesy of the Macomb County Sheriff's Office