Texas couple who spent years adopting children for free labor at their puppymill to stay in jail

A North Texas couple who was convicted of human trafficking after they spent years adopting children for free labor at their puppymill will stay in jail.

Jeffrey Barrett of Greenville is currently serving a life prison term and his wife Barbara is serving 99-years after they were found guilty of Continuous Trafficking of a Child in Hunt County.

Both were part of a horrendous operation out of their rural home. Court reports show the couple adopted at least five children. But instead of raising the younsters, the Barretts kept the kids out of school and used them as slave labor in their business, raising dogs.

Prosecutors say the kids were abused and neglected all while being forced to be on the job from sun-up to sundown, feeding animals and cleaning pens, even grooming dogs around the clock if state regulators were expected.

The children were all totally cut off from the outside world with no friends or computer access.

One of the children eventually ran off one night and made her way to police. The cops found the other four adopted children plus over 100 dogs.

Both the Barnetts were convicted of child trafficking. The 5th Court of Appeals has found the trials and sentences to be fair and affirmed the convictions.

“It is heartbreaking to know this horrid abuse was happening in our state, and it is unfathomable that a person could be so heartless to abuse the foster care system and use children in need of a loving, safe home as slave labor,” Attorney General Paxton said. “There is no excuse for this evil behavior, and it will not be tolerated in our state."