Woman Arrested for Human Trafficking After Allegedly Forcing Children to Sell Cookies

A Kentucky woman faces human trafficking charges for forcing several children to sell cookies, according to officials.

Rhonda Bell, 32, was arrested on Sunday in Anderson County, Kentucky, WDRB reported. She is accused of making nine juveniles, whose ages range from 9 to 16, sell peppermint thin cookies “using fraud and coercion,” according to an arrest report obtained by WDRB.

Police said the children sold the cookies to local residents to support a non-existent organization. Bell, originally from Louisville, reportedly profited from the cookie sales.

Lawrenceburg Police did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

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Write to Mahita Gajanan at mahita.gajanan@time.com.