THE Santa Cruz couple, who allegedly gave their 12-year-old daughter to a man in exchange for a piece of land, was yesterday slapped with criminal charges under the Child Care and Protection Act.

The two are facing charges of exposing a juvenile to moral danger.

Constable Yvette Graham of the Santa Cruz Police Station said that some time during May last year, the stepfather and mother of the young girl allegedly entered into an agreement with a man residing in St Elizabeth to have their daughter stay with the landowner’s son in exchange for a piece of land at Rockland district in the parish.

The age of the St Elizabeth man’s son is yet to be determined by the police, but he is believed to be in his late 20s.

According to Constable Graham, after the exchange was made the young girl allegedly began living with the man’s son up until Thursday last week.

The Santa Cruz police, the officer added, became aware of the incident after they received reports that the young girl had not been attending school regularly. Subsequent investigations led them to the home of the son where it was discovered that the 12-year-old girl had been living with him since last year.

After further enquiries the police later uncovered that the girl was allegedly traded by her parents, and the parents were arrested, said Constable Graham.

However, the police were unable to apprehend the son of the landowner as he returned the girl to her parents and allegedly fled the parish after being tipped off that the police were seeking him.