An Ohio County mother has been indicted on charges including human trafficking, rape, sodomy, and criminal abuse of her own children.
Police said 37-year-old Shelly Hayes, of Utica, is accused of allowing her seven children, six are currently under the age of 18, to be sexually abuse by multiple men over several years. At least one of the children was younger than 12-years-old when the abuse began.
According to Ohio County Sheriff Tracy Beatty, Hayes would bring men to her home and allow them to sexually abuse her children. Police said, “Hayes received payment in the form of money from one of the perpetrators,” and as the man continued to pay Hayes, she allowed him to sexually abuse her children. Police said the abuse went on for several years.
Additionally, authorities determined Hayes was physically abusing her children over many years, and on occasion caused injuries.
Hayes was indicted on several charges including human trafficking (victim younger than 18), first-degree rape (victim younger than 12), first-degree sodomy (victim younger than 12), first-degree sexual abuse (victim younger than 12), and first-degree criminal abuse (victim younger than 12). She is being held in the Ohio County Detention Center on a $250,000 cash bond.
A person of interest is also being sought by law enforcement but is believed to be outside of the county, police said.
By Ken Howlett, News Director
Contact Ken at ken@k105.com or 270-259-6000
