Maltese Childcare Centres Owned By Alleged Human Traffickers And Brothel Owners Are Still Open And Operating
Childcare centres owned by a couple facing charges over human trafficking and running a brothel are still open and operating a day after they were hauled to court and denied bail.
Happy Faces Childcare Centre, which operates in Swieqi and Mosta, is owned by Francesca Caruana and her husband Duncan, who were charged in court on 15th June following a police investigation into a suspected brothel in Marsaskala.
Three women were discovered at the property, one of whom was not charged after police ascertained that she was a victim of human trafficking. Duncan Caruana was also arrested during the raid.
According to police, Duncan Caruana would charge €50 for every 30 minutes with the women, collecting the payment from clients himself, keeping half of it.
His wife, Francesca, was also part of the operation, organising meetings with potential clientele. She would also tell the women by text when to open the door for them.
Francesca is listed as the Managing Director of Happy Faces. However, no official website or company name can be found.
The couple, who pleaded not guilty to the charges, were refused bail while an attempt to keep their names blocked from publication was rejected by the courts.
However, the pair’s childcare centres are still very much open, with parents dropping off their young children at the facilities earlier this morning.
Lovin Malta has sent questions to the Education Ministry to see whether it will be taking any action.
Duncan Caruana's car collection
It should be noted that the Caruanas have so far pleaded not guilty to the offences. It is also as yet unclear whether any of the proceeds from the prostitution racket were used in the childcare centre. Still, there are major questions as to whether the centre should be allowed to operate given the circumstances.
Social media accounts of the pair indicate a relatively lavish lifestyle, with Duncan Caruana regularly posting images of his three Mercedes cars, sometimes even in front of the childcare centres in question.
The couple has assembled a significant legal team to fight their case with Edward Gatt, Mark Vassallo, Ishmael Psaila and Shaun Zammit all representing the pair.
The sitting has so far mostly played out behind closed doors with two women who were working at the brothel testifying to the court via video link.
Should the childcare centre be temporarily shut down?
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