BREATHITT COUNTY, Ky. — The Breathitt County Grand Jury has returned a series of indictments following its recent session, which included serious criminal charges of human trafficking and child abuse against a local couple, George and Shanna Foster.

The charges stem from alleged abuse and exploitation that investigators say took place over a lengthy period — in some cases dating back more than a decade.

Charges Against George Foster

According to the indictments, George Foster faces fourteen separate counts involving both criminal abuse and human trafficking of minors. The alleged offenses span from 2013 through February 2025 and involve multiple victims.

Prosecutors allege that Foster intentionally caused physical injury to minors, subjected them to cruel confinement, and forced them into labor — actions classified under Kentucky law as Class C and Class A felonies.

The breakdown of Foster’s charges includes:

Counts I–V: Criminal Abuse, 1st Degree (Class C felonies)

These counts accuse Foster of intentionally abusing and injuring minors between 2017 and 2024, with the following time frames listed in the indictment:

March 4, 2022 – March 3, 2024

March 4, 2022 – March 3, 2023

March 31, 2020 – March 30, 2021

November 30, 2017 – November 29, 2019

November 30, 2018 – November 29, 2023

Counts VI–X: Criminal Abuse, 2nd Degree (Class C felonies)

These counts allege that Foster intentionally subjected minors to cruel confinement between March 31, 2013 and February 25, 2025, covering more than a decade of alleged abuse.

Counts XI–XIV: Human Trafficking – Forced Labor Victim Under 18 (Class A felonies)

The most severe charges claim that between March 31, 2013 and February 25, 2025, Foster engaged in human trafficking by forcing minors under the age of 18 into labor.

Bond for George Foster was set at $50,000 cash.

Charges Against Shanna Foster

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The Grand Jury also indicted Shanna Foster, alleging that she was complicit in many of the same crimes. She faces nine counts, including complicity to criminal abuse and complicity to human trafficking involving minors.

According to the indictments, Shanna Foster is accused of aiding, assisting, or encouraging the ongoing abuse and forced labor of minors during overlapping time periods with her co-defendant.

The charges against her include:

Counts I–V: Complicity to Criminal Abuse, 1st Degree (Class C felonies)

These counts accuse Shanna Foster of being complicit in the abuse and physical injury of minors between 2018 and 2024, as outlined in the indictment.

Counts VI–IX: Complicity to Human Trafficking – Forced Labor Victim Under 18 (Class A felonies)

The Grand Jury alleges that between March 31, 2013 and February 25, 2025, she took part in or aided the forced labor of minors under 18 years of age.

Her bond was also set at $50,000 cash.

Next Steps in the Case

Both defendants are expected to appear in Breathitt Circuit Court for arraignment, where they will be formally presented with their charges and given the opportunity to enter pleas.

If convicted, the couple could face lengthy prison sentences, particularly on the Class A felony human trafficking charges, which are among the most serious offenses under Kentucky law.

The investigation that led to the indictments has not yet been fully detailed, and officials have not released information on the number or ages of the alleged victims.

George and Shanna Foster were lodged in the Kentucky River Regional Jail in Hazard.

Both George and Shanna Foster remain presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Those in Jackson can read more on this in the local Paper This Week in Breathitt County.

This information was gathered and supplied by The Breathitt Advocate and other publicly available court documents.