Authorities Are Investigating A Craigslist Ad That Is Offering A Two-Week-Old Baby For $500

Local authorities in Florida are now investigating a listing in Craigslist that purposedly shows a baby for sale for $500. Leading investigators are scrambling to resolve if the ad was just a hoax; the seller claimed that they didn't want to be judged "for not wanting these kids."

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement opened up an investigation on Friday into the disturbing ad. The description on the listing said that the alleged seller would be providing clothes, formula and the baby's 4-year-old sister for free.

In a report by the Miami Herald, the seller claimed that they are working for the Florida Department of Children and Families. Gretl Plessinger, a spokeswoman for the department, declined to address specifics about the case, adding that FDLE does not "have an active investigation that started last Friday."

The Miami Herald has tried to request for comment on the department as well as Craiglist. Both did not reply. However, FDLE agents have interviewed a woman that they suspect might have posted the ad. Investigators added that they are now checking computer records that might help them identify the culprit.

According to several sources, it's still unclear if any Florida law punishes an online ad that's trying to sell a child. A decade ago, a South Florida mom was arrested for attempting to sell her baby, but it wasn't posted online.

Craigslist is a popular American classified advertisements website that's used by many people to sell goods or services. In the past, numerous individuals have been detained for attempting to sell their children using the platform.

In 2017 a Tennessee man and woman were jailed after local authorities said that they tried to sell their 5-month-old son on Craigslist. The suspects were convicted with aggravated child abuse, child neglect and endangerment.

The same year, a Colorado man was on hot waters when he tried to sell his baby for 2,500. The father later said that it was a dumb joke. In 2015, a Georgia woman was put behind bars after posting a listing on Craiglist asking for an undesired baby.