The Antelope Valley Times

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Couple accused of trying to sell their children for drugs in Lancaster

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Vincente Calogero and Sarah Nilson. [Booking photos courtesy: LASD]
LANCASTER – A man and woman are behind bars for allegedly trying to exchange their children for money or drugs in Lancaster, and authorities are seeking additional witnesses who may have seen the suspects abusing their children.

Vincent Calogero, 38, and Sarah Nilson, 32, were arrested about 4 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 14, after deputies responded to a report of possible child abuse in the 100 block of Avenue J-8, according to a news release from the Sheriff’s Information Bureau.

“Deputies contacted the suspects and determined… [they] had been attempting to give and/or sell their children in exchange for money or drugs,” the news release states.

Calogero and Nilson were booked on suspicion of felony child endangerment, child neglect and being under the influence of a controlled substance, according to the news release.

Both pleaded not guilty on Monday and were ordered to return to the Lancaster courthouse on Wednesday for a bail hearing.

The couple’s two juvenile sons, ages 1 and 2, were placed in the custody of the county Department of Children and Family Services, according to the sheriff’s department.

Detectives are seeking additional witnesses.  [View the “Special Bulletin” here.]

“Anyone with information regarding this case who may have seen the suspects abusing the children or had the suspects approach them in order to give away their children, and/or sell their children in exchange for drugs or money, are encouraged to contact Lancaster Station at 661-948-8466 or Detective Gore at 661-940-3855,” the news release states.

Anonymous tips can be submitted through Crime Stoppers by calling 800-222-TIPS.

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19 comments for "Couple accused of trying to sell their children for drugs in Lancaster"

  1. They were not trying to sell there children for money or drugs this is stupid they were homeless and had asked people they knew if they would take there kids for the night because it was freezing FYI when your homeless its easy to be on drugs cause you have no where to rest your head and have to be alert to keep your self safe and in this case 2 children as well the parents are probably thankful DcFS was able to provide the kids with a roof a warm bed and food the same thing they were asking people to do but instead they had to go to jail and be temporarily separated from there babies .

  2. THEY ARE BETTER OFF W/DCFS. PARENTS LIKE THIS SHOULD LOSE ALL PARENTAL RIGHTS FOREVER & NEVER BE ALLOWED TO HAVE CHILDEREN, EVER!!!

  3. 250 pounds?! That woman is atleast 400 pounds minimum. This is just so heartbreaking and sick…god help them and keep these baby boys safe.

  7. They don’t have a 7yr girl. Her first kids her exam husband has custody of them his first three his ex got custody of them her third child put up for adoption to better family now these two innocent little boys the desert way way better than them as parents and hopefully the right man and woman gets them and raises them to be better than their parents are in the one man and woman is the grandparents do anything for those kids the parents are just too selfish is using the kids as pawns and leverages to get what they wanted and now look where they’re at because her eyes and those pictures you see there’s nothing there because they’re high on drugs Slammers do anything they have to do to get a slam

  8. How very sad I know this girl and met her in 2012 at Acton Rehab she was definitely a drub abuser as was I; however I made the decision to stay clean and sober. I am not here to Judge her nor defend her actions. I do know she had a horrible tragic life herself and really wanted to change. She attended church on Sundays at Acton and prayed a lot. I would see her crying when the Pastor would pray for her. Addiction is hard to overcome it’s a shame that she went right back into the drug scene. What’s worse is what she is accused of (children are innocent and I feel completely saddened for them) I hope that the children will be safe now. I pass no Judgement on her that’s God’s job. I pray that she gets the help she needs. It’s in Gods hands now.

  10. Wow , are people really this [removed] , they look like they have serious issues …. sad that people would get that desperate they don’t deserve life itself , irresponsible so called parents, they don’t deserve that title either…. the only drug they sgould get is a lethal injection

  11. They also had a 7 year old girl but some creepy guy in a windowless van paid $30 in food stamps for her.

    Seriously though, I hate to see kids go to DCFS but it must be better than these 2 clowns… hope they can keep the brothers together.

    • That’s [removed] they would never think about sellling there kids all of your made up comments should be kept to your self that’s heavy what there Being charged with and they will be out soon because it’s bogus

          • Why? Had someone “bought” these kids they might have ended up with a better life then where they will end up with DCFS. Heck if I had a big house and the means to care for them, I would have bought the kids, then fought for custody and as long as I pass the parent tests and the kids have no relatives laying claim, I would have won. DCFS has more kids that need homes then homes that need kids.

          • Anyone that would buy kids with money or drugs most likely would be trafficking in child porn. This is NOT funny! This is a tragedy!

    • @candice, if you find out if there is a way to give these kids gifts or clothes, please let us know cause i want to donate to them also…