Woman accused of forcing teens into prostitution

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- An 18-year-old Kansas City woman faces charges accusing her of forcing two underage teens into prostitution, according to the Jackson County prosecutor's office.

Jessi C. Larkie faces two counts of sexual trafficking of a child under 18 in connection with incidents that occurred between late March and mid-May.

Online court records don't list a lawyer for Larkie.

Court records show a 15-year-old girl told investigators she met Larkie on Facebook, and Larkie later suggested the girl move in with her.

After moving in, when the girl couldn't find work, Larkie suggested the girl could make money working as a prostitute and told her to stand at a street corner and "look cute," The Kansas City Star reported.

A 14-year-old girl who ran away from her Overland Park, Kansas, home told investigators a similar story and said Larkie also made her lie about her age to clients.

The 15-year-old girl told authorities she was instructed to look only for cars with four doors that would allow Larkie to get into the vehicle with her, and Larkie negotiated prices for various sex acts.

The girl told investigators she participated in 80 to 90 sex acts at Larkie's direction, and Larkie posted information promoting the girl on dating websites.