Mother admits trading 11-year-old daughter to sex abuser in exchange for heroin in US

Prosecutors said Corcoran ran out of money for her addiction and offered her daughter as a trade

April Corcoran appearing at court in Cincinnati on 9 June 2016 (YouTube)

A woman has pleaded guilty to offering her 11-year-old daughter to an alleged sex abuser in exchange for heroin in the US.

April Corcoran, 32, has pleaded guilty to charges including human trafficking, “corrupting another with drugs” and endangering children at a court in Ohio.

Her lawyer, James Bogan, told the court that his client “wishes to take responsibility for her actions", WCPO news reported.

The skyline of Cincinnati, where the abuse took place (Getty)

"She does not wish to have her daughter go through further trauma by having to testify at trial," he added.

"And, she knows that a sentence that amounts to life in prison is a very realistic possibility."

The Hamilton County Prosecutor, Joseph Deters, said Corcoran traded her 11-year-old daughter with drug dealer Shandell Willingham in exchange for heroin, some of which she gave to the child.

Willingham, 42, was charged on 26 counts and also faces a life sentence, on top of a 42-year prison sentence he is already serving for unrelated crimes in another state.

He is accused of forcing the Corcoran’s daughter into sex acts, some of which were filmed in his home between February and June 2014.

The alleged abuse ended when the victim moved to live with her father and stepmother that month and told them what had happened.

After charging the pair last year, Mr Deters said he found it hard to imagine how parents can use children to satisfy drug addiction.

“Even after all my years as a prosecutor, I continue to be amazed at how badly parents treat their children,” he said.

“What this little girl endured is unimaginable and I can only hope that mum and drug dealer’s prosecution, the love and support of her family, and intense counselling will help this child regain some trust in the world.

“This case is Exhibit A for how devastating heroin is to our communities.”

The Ohio Attorney General, Mike DeWine, called the case “sad beyond measure”, adding: “Instead of protecting her daughter, the mother saw her as a way to get drugs because the lure of heroin was apparently too strong.”

Corcoran is due to return to court for sentencing on 19 July, while her daughter remains with her father.