A South Carolina mother is facing serious criminal charges after investigators alleged that her two young daughters were repeatedly abused by multiple men in a case involving suspected child trafficking.

Helena Nichole Hoyle, 27, of Bonneau, was arrested on August 14 and charged with two counts of trafficking persons and two counts of child neglect, according to the Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office. The allegations have not been proven in court.

The investigation began after deputies were contacted on August 3 regarding concerns involving a 4-year-old girl. Investigators subsequently interviewed the two sisters, ages 4 and 7, according to an arrest affidavit.

Authorities said the children described repeated incidents involving multiple unidentified men. Investigators allege that Hoyle allowed men access to the girls in exchange for money and illegal drugs.

Because of the younger child’s age, investigators said she was unable to provide the same level of detail as her older sister. However, authorities said the 4-year-old provided information that supported the allegations and told investigators she had witnessed her sister being harmed.

The investigation also uncovered disturbing information about the living conditions in which the children were allegedly staying. According to investigators, the girls described a home without running water, where they could not regularly bathe or brush their teeth and had to use a bucket instead of a functioning toilet.

Authorities have not publicly identified any of the men allegedly involved, and no additional suspects have been publicly charged in connection with the case based on the reports currently available.

Hoyle was booked into the Berkeley County Jail, where her bond was set at $250,000.

The case remains under investigation, and the allegations against Hoyle are subject to the criminal justice process. She is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.

For investigators, the priority now is protecting the two children and determining the full circumstances surrounding the allegations, including whether other individuals were involved.

The case has drawn widespread attention because of the children’s extremely young ages and the serious allegations that the person responsible for their care may have exposed them to danger rather than protecting them.