MIAMI (CMC):

A United States federal jury has convicted a Haitian mother and her daughter on charges of forcing a teenage Haitian girl to work as a slave.

The 12-member mixed jury deliberated for nearly six hours before bringing a guilty verdict against Maude Paulin, 52, a former Miami-Dade middle school teacher, and her mother, Evelyn Theodore, 74, of conspiring to enslave the girl, forcing her to work, and harbouring an illegal immigrant. They face up to 10 years in prison.

Paulin's Haitian-born ex-husband, Saintfort Paulin, 60, who faces a year in jail, was found guilty of harbouring an illegal immigrant, while another Haitian, Claire Telasco, 43, was acquitted of all charges.

The three remain free on bail until their May 20 sentencing.