According to authorities, a Florida mother who tried to sell her 18-month-old daughter to a passerby for $500 abandoned her. According to the Palatka Police Department, Jessica Woods, 33, was asked if she needed assistance on March 5 by a worker at a nearby business. The worker informed the police that Woods had been hanging around the company for days.
Jessica Woods was charged with child neglect
Police said that when the worker checked on her, she claimed not to need assistance but made an offer to sell her daughter for $500. Woods was accused of placing the child on the ground and leaving when the employee refused.
After picking up the toddler, the employee took her to the police station to report the incident.
A PPD social media post said, “Palatka police officers, with the assistance of the Department’s Victim Advocate, provided care to the child until the Department of Children and Families responded and took custody of her,” “Foster care has since been assigned to the child.” “The child has since been placed in foster care.” Two days later, Woods was taken into custody and accused of abusing, neglecting, and leaving a child behind.
Under the Florida Safe Haven Law, newborns less than a week old can be legally surrendered at any hospital
Detectives conducted an investigation and ultimately obtained an arrest warrant for Woods, accusing her of four counts of child cruelty, child neglect, and selling or surrendering a minor for money or property. On Thursday, Woods was located, taken into custody, and transported to the Putnam County Jail. The Putnam County Inmate Log states that she was not given a bond.
Newborns under one week old can be legally surrendered to any hospital, EMT station, or fully staffed fire station in the state under the Florida Safe Haven Law, and the parent will not face any legal repercussions.