Couple behind bars after being accused of trying to sell newborn twins for $5,000 claim it was a joke that got out of hand

A couple from Kentucky accused of trying to sell their babies for $5,000 have defended their actions from jail, claiming it was just a joke that got out of hand.

The Jackson County couple, Zackary Davis and Jacquilyn Keith, were arrested on Monday after allegedly attempting to sell their own newborn twin daughters.

The pair are currently behind bars in the Jackson County Detention Center facing human trafficking-related charges.

Davis has claimed a relative was watching their newborn twins while he and his wife were busy renovating their home.

'Went out there every day. Brought money, food and diapers. Got to see my kids a couple of hours, went back to work,' said Davis from inside the detention center in McKee. 

The Jackson County couple, Zackary Davis and Jacquilyn Keith, were arrested on Monday after allegedly attempting to sell their own newborn twin daughters

The dad claimed a relative was looking after the babies while he and his wife renovated their home

He says the mention of selling his twin baby girls was a joke that he didn't mean seriously.

'She said, 'I give you five grand.' I said, 'ha, ha, yeah, you can have my kids for five grand,' said Davis.

But officers were left unconvinced after claiming they were contacted by Davis' sister-in-law who confirmed the couple had agreed to sell the babies.

They say they have screenshots of messages and recordings to back up the claims.

Davis and Keith snapped back, however, saying selling their children was never a genuine plan.

From behind bars in a separate interview, Keith said: 'Hopefully, they will see the mess that is going on, and we don't have to do prison time for something we didn't do'.

According to the sheriff's department police report, the mother told officers that her husband's relatives manipulated him into giving them permission to keep the babies.

Davis claimed the kids are his world, and the reason he worked on cleaning up his life.

'I am trying to get the word out there that this is all corrupt, and I had my kids stolen from me. They have took my kids from me,' he said.

Davis took to Facebook to say he was not selling or giving away any of his children

Jackson County Sheriff's Office Chief Deputy Zachary Bryant told WKYT that this was the first time in his career he had given out the charge.

'Fortunately, this is the first time I've ever had to charge this, and hopefully I never have to charge it again,' he said.

The couple said they wanted to extend their family of five before being thrown into a prison cell.  

'I have five kids. If I sold a kid, I would not have five. I watch kids my entire life. I have kids with me or near me my entire life. I have always been responsible for somebody's kids,' Keith said.

Police said social services took custody of the children and placed them in another home to be looked after. 

Both Davis and Keith remain in jail on a $10,000 bond and are due in district court on Monday.

Neither has entered a plea and an attorney for each party has not been listed.