Child welfare authorities say Steve Marks has seven children from age 1 to 14 and at least three of them previously were removed and placed in foster care.
Marks was arrested Thursday in Rockwall County and held on $1 million bond on charges of purchasing or selling a child for sex. A 31-year-old woman he says is his wife also is charged and jailed. His parents are jailed on charges of harboring a runaway.
Marks tells WFAA he'd never sell a child for sex and someone who does that "needs to be put away for the rest of their life."
Child welfare officials say the case remains under investigation.