The ample photos posted on Amber and Lauriston Maloney’s Facebook pages are of the just folks variety.
Kids, dogs, good times, anniversaries, birthdays, more kids and “I love you, baby.”
But as we know, a June and Ward Cleaver social media presence can mask some ugly truths. Toothy smiles can easily give way to darkness.
Prosecutors say that’s the case with the Maloneys.
She is charged with human trafficking, materially benefiting from the trafficking of a person, and administering a noxious substance. Hubby is charged with trafficking, two counts of assault and forcible confinement.
The Maloneys — arrested in the summer of 2023 — are now on trial in Bradford. Both have pleaded not guilty and none of the charges have been proven in court.
Complicating matters is the fact Amber operated a camp for autistic children called Beating the Odds. The camp was on the pair’s property in rural Utopia, southwest of Barrie.
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Into this G-rated world entered a starry-eyed young woman. On Monday, she testified against the pair.
The unnamed alleged victim testified she met Amber on a dating app in 2016. Soon, she said, she was part of a love triangle having sex with the duo and living at their home.
“In my mind, I was in a relationship with both of them,” she told the court, CTV News reported.
Eventually, in addition to her bedroom escapades, she started acting as Amber Maloney’s assistant. Her reward was long hours and very little money even though she was creating therapy programs and performing administrative tasks.
The Maloneys would allegedly give her $100 or $50 “here and there.” When she asked for more dough, convicted sex offender Lauriston suggested she go to Ontario Works for a handout.
Jane Doe testified that Amber sometimes gave her small amounts of cash or e-transferred her money. It wasn’t enough for car payments or insurance.
But she remained a sucker, falling for empty promises.
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“He made me feel like he would always be there for me and the things I needed would be covered,” she told the court.
What sent the cozy arrangement careening off the cliff was the appearance of another woman, court heard. The Maloneys allegedly wanted to add another playmate into the mix.
Doe felt cheap and disposable. She was, she said, blindly in love with Amber Maloney. Her sacrifices were worth it to be close to the object of her desires.
And then it all fell apart.
Cops issued a public safety advisory that notified the community of Lauriston Maloney being in the mix at the unlicensed children’s camp. Ontario Provincial Police confirmed he was a convicted sex offender.
Hours later the pair were charged.
Lauriston — a devout bodybuilder — was convicted around two decades ago for running an escort service in Mississauga that featured at least one underage girl. CTV said he was also convicted around 10 years ago for trafficking young women.
Happily, cops confirmed the kids who attended the Beating the Odds camp were not victims in the probe.
The pair are out on bail and the trial resumes Wednesday.
Despite the legal woes, the Maloneys’ social media pages indicate it’s business as usual.
Amber Maloney posted on Oct. 18: “Happy Happy Birthday to my sexy, brilliant, caring ,loving ,supportive, intelligent husband Lauriston Maloney today we celebrate you and all of you because you deserve every bit of it !!!! Can’t wait to celebrate with you later.
“Love you Baby.”
Indeed.