BIRMINGHAM, Alabama - A Florence couple was indicted last week on more than 100 charges related to exploiting a minor child in their custody to produce child pornography.

The charges against Patricia Allana Ayers, 34, and her husband, Matthew David Ayers, 42, were outlined in a 107-count indictment filed in U.S. District Court in Birmingham.

Investigators found the couple in possession of 53 pornographic images of the child produced between the summer of 2010 and January 2013.

In early January 2013, officials from the Madison County and Lauderdale County sheriff's offices searched the Ayers' home in the 1800 block of County Road 298. The Department of Human Resources took three children from the home and placed them in foster care. Several computers, cellphones and cameras were seized.

The Ayers have remained in custody in the Lauderdale County jail since then on state charges of child pornography, rape and sexual abuse.

The federal indictment charges 106 counts of producing child pornography and one count of possessing child pornography. For each photograph involving sexual exploitation of the child, the defendant involved faces two charges: enticing or coercing a minor to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of creating an image of the conduct, and as the parent, legal guardian or person having control of a minor, permitting that child to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing an image of it.

Patricia Ayers faces all 106 production counts and one count of possession of child pornography. Matthew Ayers faces 50 counts of producing child pornography and one count of possessing child pornography.

The FBI investigated the case, which Assistant U.S. Attorney Mary Stuart Burrell is prosecuting.

U.S. Attorney Joyce White Vance and FBI Special Agent in Charge Richard D. Schwein Jr. announced the indictment Friday afternoon.

"I am committed to protecting children from exploitation and sexual abuse, and in no case more so than cases like this, where children are hurt by those closest to them," Vance said.

"This case emphasizes the need for anyone with information about the potential sexual exploitation of children to report it immediately," Schwein said.

The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children operates the Cyber Tip Line in partnership with the FBI and other federal authorities. If you have information call the tip line at 1-800-THE-LOST, Schwein said.