A Lynn resident pleaded not guilty to child trafficking charges in Worcester Superior Court Friday morning.
Ashley Goodrich, 27, was indicted by a statewide grand jury on Sept. 27 on four counts of trafficking a minor for sexual servitude, deriving support from prostitution of a minor, and four counts of contributing to the delinquency of a minor. The indictment came after a five-month investigation involving a minor who lived at Eliot Community Human Services, the Saugus group home where Goodrich worked.
She targeted and recruited the minor out of Eliot after posting ads online offering sexual services in exchange for money, according to Attorney General Maura Healey’s office. Goodrich allegedly drove the minor to sexual encounters in Boston and Worcester, coordinated them during times when the minor had run away from home, according to Healey.
During arraignment, the judge released Goodrich on personal recognizance and gave her a bail warning, according to Healey’s office. She was warned to stay away from the victim, witnesses, current and former child residents of the group home, and former or current employees of the company. Goodrich was also told not to work or volunteer at places with children under the age of 18.
The next pre-trial date is set for Nov. 26, according to Goodrich’s attorney, Nicole Bluefort.
“Ashley is adamantly denying these very serious allegations,” said Bluefort. “On behalf of both of us, we are looking forward to the opportunity to prove that at the next court date.”
Goodrich is expected to face charges in Suffolk County, though the arraignment date has yet to be scheduled.
