Tigard mother and daughter federally charged with forced labor of Haitian immigrants

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — A Tigard mother and daughter were arraigned in federal court Friday for allegedly forcing three Haitian immigrants – including a minor – to work for little to no pay in an adult care foster home.

According to court documents, 66-year-old Marie Valmont and 30-year-old Yolandita Andrew owned and operated of Velida’s Care Home in Tigard. In early 2023, they allegedly convinced two adults and a child from Haiti to come work for them.

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When all three arrived in Portland in September 2023, they were taken to Velida’s and reportedly forced to work long hours for little pay. Both Valmont and Andre also allegedly took the victims’ immigration paperwork and forbade them to leave the area.

The documents further state Valmont threw items at the victims, threatened to send them back to Haiti and have them killed. She also allegedly threatened to call police and make false allegations against them.

After the child reportedly disclosed her situation to her pediatrician in summer 2023, the Oregon Department of Justice intervened and placed her in foster care.

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Both Valmont and Andre were arrested by the FBI on Thursday.

Both women were arraigned in federal court Friday on charges of conspiring with one another to commit forced labor, committing forced labor and benefitting from forced labor.

They plead not guilty and were released. However, officials say there will be further court dates in the future.

Officials say Valmont and Andre could each face up to 20 years in federal prison per count.

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