BOSTON — A Saugus group home worker pleaded not guilty to charges of trafficking a minor for sexual servitude and contributing to the delinquency of a minor in Suffolk Superior Court.
Ashley Goodrich, 27, of Lynn, was arraigned Monday and released on personal recognizance, according to Emalie Gainey, spokeswoman for Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey.
Goodrich was indicted by a Statewide Grand Jury in September 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 in connection with trafficking a minor for commercial sexual exploitation.
Goodrich worked at Eliot Community Human Services, where the victim lived. She allegedly targeted and recruited the minor while working at the group residence, a home for minors referred from the Department of Children and Families (DCF) to provide congregate care for adolescents and was operated by Eliot in Saugus.
Goodrich allegedly posted ads online offering sexual services in exchange for money. Authorities allege she drove the minor to these sexual encounters in Boston and Worcester and coordinated them during times when the minor had run away from the home.
The Attorney General’s Victim Services Division is working to ensure the victim has the needed assistance and services, according to a statement from Healey. The group home in Saugus has since been closed and Goodrich was terminated from the company. DCF participated in the investigation in collaboration with law enforcement and moved all residents of the home to other placements to ensure their safety and well-being.
The case was consolidated in Worcester Superior Court, where Goodrich was previously arraigned. Her conditions of release are to stay away from and have no contact with the victim, witnesses, current and former child residents of Atlantic House and current and former employees of Eliot. She cannot have employment or volunteer with children under age 18. She is scheduled to appear in Worcester Superior Court again on Nov. 26 for a pre-trial conference.
The case is being handled through Healey’s Human Trafficking Division, which focuses on policy, prevention, and criminal prosecutions. Through the division, Healey has charged more than 40 individuals in connection with human trafficking since the law went into effect in 2012.
