Couple behind bars after being accused of trying to sell newborn twins for $5,000 claim it was a joke that got out of hand

A Kentucky couple accused of trying to sell their babies for $5,000 have defended their actions from prison, saying it was simply a prank that got out of hand.

Jackson County couple Zackary Davis and Jacquilyn Keith were arrested Monday after allegedly trying to sell their own newborn twin daughters.

Both men are currently behind bars at the Jackson County Detention Center facing charges related to human trafficking.

Davis claimed a relative was watching their newborn twins while he and his wife were busy renovating their home.

“I went there every day. Brought money, food and diapers. I got to see my kids for a few hours, I went back to work,” Davis said from the McKee Detention Center.

He says the mention of selling his binoculars was a joke that he didn’t mean seriously.

“She said, ‘I’ll give you five thousand dollars.’ I said, ‘ha, ha, yeah, you can have my kids for five thousand dollars,'” Davis said.

But officers were not convinced after claiming they were contacted by Davis’ sister-in-law, who confirmed the couple had agreed to sell the babies.

They say they have screenshots of messages and recordings to support their claims.

Davis and Keith, however, countered, saying that selling their children was never a real plan.

From behind bars, in a separate interview, Keith said: “I hope they see the mess that’s going on and we don’t have to serve prison time for something we didn’t do “.

According to the Sheriff’s Department police report, the mother told officers that her husband’s relatives had manipulated him into giving them permission to keep the babies.

Davis claimed the children were his world and the reason he worked to clean up his life.

“I’m trying to send the message that this is all corrupt and my children have been stolen from me. They took my children,” he said.

Jackson County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Zachary Bryant said WKYT that it was the first time in his career that he had given this charge.

“Luckily this is the first time I’ve had to recharge this, and I hope I never have to recharge it again,” he said.

The couple said they wanted to expand their family by five before being thrown into a prison cell.

“I have five children. If I sold one child, I wouldn’t have five. I watch children all my life. I have children with me or near me all my life. I’ve always been responsible for someone’s kids,” Keith said.

Police said social services took custody of the children and placed them in another home to be cared for.

Both Davis and Keith remain in jail on $10,000 bail and are scheduled to appear in District Court on Monday.

Neither has pleaded guilty and no attorney for either side has been listed.