“Free Baby” Advertised on Craigslist

EDINBURG – A classified ad posted on Craigslist is the focus of a federal and state investigation. See video report by clicking here.  Craigslist.com is a web site where people can post items like books for sale, apartments for rent, and job listings. The “Free Stuff” section is a place where people get rid of their junk. Usually, a visitor might see something like a non-working television. But on Saturday, the listings for McAllen and Edinburg included a free baby. A man who saw the ad was shocked. “The mother was trying to give away her child,” he tells us. The man asked us not to show his face. We’ll call him “Aiden.” The person posting the ad wrote, “Well I know this isn’t the best thing to do, but it’s better than throwing my baby in a dumpster somewhere.” The writer gives her child’s age, weight, hair and eye color, and his first name. It’s listed as Jacob. “If you don’t like that name, you can change it to whatever you prefer,” the ad states. “It’s not a big deal, since he’s only six months.” The mother doesn’t ask for money. She says she’s looking for a family to adopt her son. “I cannot take care of him anymore due to reasons I can’t explain. I will include everything. His cradle, diapers, books, and toys.” If the ad is legitimate, the child’s mother is breaking the law. The Texas Penal Code says advertising a child online is a Class A misdemeanor. NEWSCHANNEL 5 tried emailing the mother, but we got a message that her posting has been removed. We also emailed Craigslist. So far, there’s been no response from the company. We also contacted Edinburg Police, Child Protective Services, and the FBI. All three agencies are now investigating. At this point, police don’t know at this point if the ad is real or a hoax. “Aidan” says he hopes authorities are able to track down whoever posted this ad. “I’m afraid that something could happen to that child,” he tells us. Edinburg Police Chief Quirino Munoz is also concerned. “There’s all types of dangers that could occur from a situation like this, because you never know what kind of person could respond,” he explains. Among the police chief’s concerns are the possibility a pedophile or black market baby seller taking advantage of an unsuspecting mother. A Child Protective Services spokesman says his agency and police take ads like this very seriously, because the child could be in danger. They also say if this is someone’s idea of a joke the person who posted it could be arrested and charged with filing a false report. Desperate parents who feel they can no longer care for their children do have options. The Baby Moses Law allows a parent to legally turn over their baby if the child is younger than 60 days old. Parents can take their baby to any hospital, fire station, or EMS station. They must give the child to a person on duty. As long as the baby is unhurt, they won’t be turned in to the police. If the child is older than 60 days, parents need to contact an adoption agency. The can also call the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services at 1-800-252-5400.