MORGAN COUNTY, Ind. (WISH) — The Morgan County couple facing more than 120 combined charges including human trafficking, neglect, and molestation, were once celebrated for their decision to adopt. 

As I-Team 8 reported Thursday, Brian and Sonja Stafford were charged for dozens of crimes involving 11 victims, beginning in 2011 and spanning for more than a decade.

In 2016, they were the subject of a feature story in a local newspaper covering their adoption of 11 children, mostly from Florida. At the time of the article, the children ranged from 5 to 17 years old. 

The story celebrated the empty nester’s decision to adopt, welcoming the children to their 23-acre farm in Martinsville. 

Sonja Stafford was quoted by the Reporter-Times, saying, “For a while I was wondering what my purpose was for this world, I didn’t feel I had met it. I have a heart to give, a heart to do. I felt like I had so much I wanted to put it somewhere.”

Sonja’s 62 charges include accusations that she strangled some victims, and kept at least eight from talking to police in 2020. Among Brian’s 59 charges, prosecutors claim he molested at least four minors under his care.

The Staffords divorced earlier this year. Their next court date is in March, with a jury trial scheduled in June.

A spokesperson for Indiana Department of Child Services told I-Team 8 that DCS cooperated with local law enforcement in their investigation but could not disclose specific details.

Help is available for victims of domestic violence. Below is a list of suggested resources on the Domestic Violence Network website:

• National Domestic Violence Hotline: 800-799-7233 or text START to 88788
• National Domestic Violence Hotline en español: 800-799-7233 o texto “START” al 88788
• Indiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence: 24-hour hotline available at 800-332-7385
• Indiana Coalition to End Sexual Assault and Human Trafficking
• La Plaza Indy
• The Julian Center
• Indiana Child Abuse Hotline: 800-800-5556
• National Sexual Assault Hotline: 800-656-4673