A couple in Texas, USA have been accused of holding a Nigerian nanny against her will for over two years while they forced her to work without pay and abused her.
Chubby and Sandra Nsobundu, 56 and 50 respectively, who are also Nigerian, were arrested on Monday in Houston.
The 38-year-old nanny, who has not been identified, claims she was forced to work from 5:30 a.m. to 1 a.m. every day. She was made to clean, cook, and care for the children, according to Click 2 Houston.
She also alleges the family did not allow her to eat fresh food and that she was only allowed to eat leftovers from the family’s meals. The family initially promised her a $100 per month salary which she says they never gave her.
The victim, who travelled to the US from Lagos in 2012 with false documents procured by the Nsobundus, did not have access to a phone and could not communicate with her family, according court charges.
Her movements were mostly limited to the residence and allegedly only allowed out for short walks with the youngest children around her block.
The charges outlined in the complaint indicate the victim also did not have access to her passport and other travel documents.
If she wanted milk for her tea, the nanny said she would have to strain milk from the children’s cereal bowls.
The employee said she was severely abused in the home and was once even dragged down the hallway by her hair.
She also said she was hit by the couple several times and that they threatened to kill her.
The Nsobundu couple are charged with forced labour, harbouring an illegal alien, and withholding documents.
After a tip to the National Human Trafficking Resource Center, the alleged victim was rescued on October of last year, according to CW39.
The couple could face up to 60 years in federal prison if convicted.
Neighbours told Click 2 Houston that they were surprised by the allegations but said that while the children played with other children, the parents were private.
“We do crawfish boils, New Year’s Eve and Fourth of July, and sometimes, they would send food, and sometimes, they would come out and eat. They loved to come play with all the kids. They are from Nigeria,” neighbour Paula Meche said.
“I don’t know how people can treat other people like that. I’m compassionate and I don’t know if I could treat anybody like that,” Meche added.
