The Essa Township couple at the centre of a human-trafficking investigation appeared virtually in Bradford case management court this morning, however the cases were deferred so defence counsel could obtain additional disclosure.
Lauriston Maloney, 42, and Amber Maloney, 36, were charged on July 19, just days after Ontario Provincial Police alerted the public that a convicted sex offender, who was listed on the national sex offender registry, was living at Beating the Odds Children's Camp in Essa Township, west of Barrie.
Amber Maloney owned and operated the camp at the couple’s Ivy-area home. It offered services for children with autism, but has since been closed.
A publication ban protects any evidence heard in court from being released. However, police have previously indicated the alleged victim in the case did not attend the Beating the Odds day camp.
Lauriston Maloney is facing four Criminal Code offences, including two counts of assault, trafficking in a person, receiving material benefit resulting from trafficking a person, and forcible confinement.
Nottawasaga OPP have previously said that he was convicted in Peel Region in 2004 and 2013 for 16 criminal charges related to child trafficking.
Amber Maloney is charged with trafficking in a person, receiving material benefit resulting from trafficking a person, administering a noxious substance, fraud over $5,000, and uttering a forged document.
None of the allegations have been tested in court.
Both of the accused were released from custody Aug. 11 after being granted bail in a Barrie court. Lauriston Maloney is required to wear an ankle bracelet and reside with his father in Brampton.
The couple is scheduled to return to case management court in Bradford on Thursday, Nov. 16, at which time a lawyer for Lauriston Maloney noted both cases could also be ready to proceed to the pre-trial stage.
