In Spanish a local woman tearfully said she never imagined what police are alleging happened to her nieces.

KHOU - TV

Investigators say Nelsi Latuda, 35, sold her own daughters, 14 and 16, into prostitution to buy drugs.

There are unconfirmed reports she had business cards.

Latuda’s sister says the girls are scared and nervous.

The investigation started Saturday with a call to police from the family’s apartment on Antoine.

Following a fight with their mother, the teens reportedly dropped a bomb on officers.

The girls reportedly said they were with various men at that apartment as well as at another apartment on Tidwell.

One neighbor says he knew something suspicious was going on. “And sometimes the daughters would be there talking with the grown guys.”

Latuda has been charged with two counts of compelling prostitution.

So has her boyfriend 21-year-old Pedro Espinoza Escama.

He’s an alleged accomplice who is reportedly an illegal immigrant.

The aunt says her nieces are very saddened by all that has happened.

They are torn, because in spite of all that’s happened, they don’t want their mom to go to prison.