Woman Arrested for Selling Newborn Baby on Facebook to the “Highest Bidder”

Texas Woman Arrested for Selling Newborn Baby on Facebook to the “Highest Bidder”

A 21-year-old Texas woman was arrested after allegedly trying to sell her newborn son to the “highest bidder” on Facebook, offering him for a minimum of $150 even before going into labor.

Juniper Bryson was taken into custody last week, charged with one count of felony sale or purchase of a child. According to a probable cause affidavit cited by Law&Crime, the Houston Police Department received a report on September 23 about Bryson’s attempts to sell her unborn child on Facebook.

The day before, Bryson allegedly posted in a Facebook group called “Birthing mothers looking for adoptive parent(s),” writing,”I am in Houston, Tx but willing to travel if we can arrange that. I do have a lot of pain and am contracting so it needs to be soon.”

She also allegedly contacted a family member, asking if they knew anyone looking to adopt, and mentioned the baby would test positive for drugs.

The family member also posted on Facebook, explaining that a relative was seeking adoptive parents to avoid the foster care system. Several people responded to the post. According to the affidavit, Bryson told a family member any prospective parents “would have to compensate” her. Shocked, the family member allegedly replied, “What do you mean compensate? Like pay you $ for the baby? You want $$ for your baby?!” the relative allegedly asked Bryson, adding, “That’s illegal, that’s human trafficking.”

Bryson reportedly responded, “No it’s not, it’s surrogacy.” Before adding, “Just enough to move into an apartment so I can work a job and get [my daughter] back, or a cheap down payment, or any car to get to different places to DoorDash. Nothing crazy at all.”

The family member told police Bryson was waiting at the hospital with her newborn for the “highest bidder.” Police reportedly found messages on Bryson’s phone to several people, including a same-sex couple travelling from Louisiana, discussing payment terms. In one conversation, Bryson allegedly insisted, “I’m not waiting to get paid until after [giving birth],” asking for at least $150 upfront. The same couple had even sent her $25 via Apple Pay for a food delivery.

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