Farmington Hills, MI, United States
Joseph and Evelyn Djoumessi brought the victim, a 14-year old girl from Cameroon, to the U.S. in October 1996 to work against her will as a domestic servant in their home. The victim took care of the couple's children, cleaned the home, and was beaten in make sure she performed her duties. Joseph also sexually abused the victim. The victim worked for the couple until February 2000.
Location
United States · Farmington Hills, MI · 2008 (location generalized to protect survivors)
Response & intervention
In March 2006, Evelyn and Joseph Djoumessi were convicted. In May 2007 Joseph was sentenced to 218 months in prison and Evelyn to 60 months for conspiracy to hold the victim in involuntary servitude. The couple was also ordered to pay the victim $100,000 in restitution.
The victim began telling the couple's neighbor, Susan Aschoff, about her situation, who then called Farmington Hills Counseling Services and the police. The case was investigated by ICE agents.
The victim graduated college in 2007.
Documented on the original SlaveryMap (2008–2016). We don't have a verifiable source on file yet — use “Report a problem” below to add one.