Sicklerville Woman Prostituted Vulnerable Mother: Authorities

MEDIA, PA — A Sicklerville woman is accused of taking advantage of a woman whose children she was charged with handling in the foster care system, leading to human trafficking, prostitution, and related crimes, according to the Delaware County District Attorney's Office.

Candace Talley, 27, was arrested Thursday on charges of human trafficking, promoting prostitution and related charges, District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer said.

The charges stemmed from her exploitation of a woman whose children were in foster care, and whose Children and Youth Services case was being managed by Talley, according to authorities.

She is accused of playing a role in a prostitution ring. Authorities allege she enlisted women to work as prostitutes, drove them to and from jobs, and took a portion of the money from the illegal activity of the women she recruited.

Talley is also accused of promising the victim she would falsify any drug tests to ensure a favorable recommendation regarding the children's placement.

“It is truly horrible, and beyond imagination, that someone who is responsible for insuring the welfare of children would pressure their mother into acts of prostitution for her own personal enrichment, and with the promise of a favorable custody recommendation, as this defendant is charged with doing,” Stollsteimer said. “I want to thank the hardworking members of my staff, Sgt. Robin Clark, Det. Mark Bucci, and Special Victims Unit Chief Christopher Boggs, who worked tirelessly to investigate this case and bring the defendant to answer to these charges.”

Talley was charged with one count of third-degree promoting prostitution, one count of first-degree coercion/threat of official act, one count of second-degree trafficking of individuals (recruitment), one count of second-degree trafficking of individuals for financial benefit, one count of second-degree official oppression and one count of first-degree corrupt organizations.

The District Attorney and the Criminal Investigations Division remind anyone in Delaware County who sees suspicious activity to call 911 immediately and provide the most specific and accurate details possible to assist law enforcement agencies investigating the call for service.

Story by Max Bennett, Patch Staff