A couple in Houston is accused of forcing a Nigerian national woman to work as their nanny for their children and home without pay for two years. The woman also accused the couple of seizing her flight documents and abusing her physically and verbally.
According to NZ Herald, the couple, Chudy and Sandra Nsobundu, both was arrested for forced labor, with holding documents and conspiracy to harbor an illegal immigrant and visa fraud charges. On the complaint submitted, the 38-year old Nigerian woman was told to be paid $100 each month for a two-year period work in Nsobundus' home.
She also told the investigators that she was being abused by the couple, physically and verbally. In October, with the help of a tip to an anti-human trafficking group the woman was rescued, CBS DFW Local reported. Her identity is also concealed in the filed criminal complaint.
Sandra Nsobundu, 50-years old came to her first court appearance and was given an unsecured bond by U.S. Magistrate Judge Nancy Johnson, Yahoo News reported. She was also scheduled to be released Tuesday. Her defense lawyers, Joan Nwuli refused to comment regarding the case.
Sandra's husband, Chudy Nsobundu was scheduled to stand in trial on Tuesday afternoon. Court documents did not provide defense lawyer for him. If convicted, the couple will be sentenced to 25 years of imprisonment.
The said nanny was originally from Lagos, Nigeria. She flied to Texas in order to work for the Nsobundu house back in September 2013. The Nsobundus were originally from Nigeria as well, however, the couple and their five children became naturalized US citizens.
Ruben Perez, one of the federal prosecutors handling the case, said after the hearing that the nanny was "enslaved" by her employers. According to the complaint, the nanny would work every day early in the morning from 5:00 to 1:00 am and was not given breaks.
She was also provided with leftovers and not fresh food, including being forced to only drink milk left in bowls in which the children had eaten cereal. She also couldn't take hot showers. Perez added the nanny is receiving proper care yet he refuse to give more information about her status.
