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Woman allegedly held children captive; forced them to work as slaves in home

Posted at 12:07 AM, Jan 18, 2016
and last updated 2016-01-18 03:23:16-05

NEW YORK – A New York woman is accused of holding two teenagers from South Korea captive in her home and forcing them to work as slaves and endure beatings.

WCBS reported that 42-year-old Sook Yeong Park has been charged with labor trafficking, assault and endangering the welfare of a child.

Prosecutors say she brought the victims into her home from Korea six years ago and cut off parental contact, so they have not spoken to their parents in more than three years. They were 9 and 11 at the time.

It is alleged that the teenagers were forced to sleep on the floor and perform daily chores for hours, including manicures, pedicures, massages and more. They were allegedly beaten if they didn’t do it right.

Neighbors said they saw the teenagers constantly working, including toiling away at chores late at night.

The 16-year-old girl and her 14-year-old brother attend high school, but were allegedly often kept home. Somebody called the police on Jan. 7.

Park was arraigned Saturday on charges of labor trafficking, third-degree assault and endangering the welfare of a child. She was released on $2,500 cash bail and is due back in court next month. She faces up to seven years in prison if convicted.