Jonesboro woman accused of child sex trafficking - New York News | NYC Breaking News

Police say a 27-year-old Jonesboro woman was selling children for sex.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation arrested Jessica Washington on Wednesday morning at her apartment off of Upper Riverdale Road in Jonesboro.

Authorities say Washington was providing room and board to young girls. In return, those girls, some as young as 14, were working at prostitutes for her.

The investigation began when a 14-year-old girl under Division of Family and Children Services care ran away from her group home.

"She had a history of running away and coming back, running away and coming back, and this is a case, though, where DFACS had actually put an order out for her with the police department and the police were able to recover her from this apartment complex," said GBI agent Sandra Putnam.

After interviewing the girl, authorities said they started their investigation.

So far, GBI agents say they know of at least one other juvenile, a 16-year-old girl, who they say Washington was forcing to have sex with men.  They said there could be more.

The GBI is not saying how Washington met the girls.

"They went to her apartment. She provided them shelter and food and clothing, but in exchange, she had to perform sex acts on men," Putnam.

FOX 5 found Washington's white Chrysler parked outside of her home t at the Maplewood Apartment complex. Numerous articles of lingerie were seen in the passenger seat.

Authorities told FOX 5 that they believe the prostitution started six to eight months ago, stating that Washington was advertising the girls for escort type services.

"Juvenile had been advertised through back page and other internet ads," Putnam said.

A neighbor we spoke, who wanted to conceal her identity, said that she was shocked at the arrest, adding she did often see two girls together going out at night.

"They would leave at night and when I first saw them move in, they were, like, dressed, like these high boots on and tight pants, and I told my boyfriend, 'I know those girls are just like, you know, some type of night life partying, you know, into something bad,'" the neighbor said.

Washington tonight is facing numerous charges, including pimping and keeping a place of prostitution. Authorities are still investigating and say more charges are possible.