PALATKA, Fla. — A Palatka woman is accused of trying to sell her toddler for money, according to the Palatka Police Department.
Police say Jessica Woods, 33, was loitering around a local business with her 18-month-old daughter for a few days, the agency said.
An anonymous citizen, who is an employee of the business, made contact with Woods and asked if she and the child needed any assistance. Woods had been known to frequent the area. Woods told the citizen she did not need anything but, offered to sell the child to the person for $500, police said.
When the person refused to purchase the child, Woods walked away and left her daughter behind, according to police. The person picked the child up, brought her to PPD and informed officers of what happened.
Officers and the agency’s Victim Advocate provided care to the child until the Department of Children and Families responded and took custody of her. She has been placed in foster care, police said.
As a result of an investigation, detectives obtained an arrest warrant for Woods charging her with family offense-sell or surrender minor for money or property, child neglect, and four counts of child cruelty. Woods was located and arrested on Thursday and taken to the Putnam County Jail. She did not receive bond according to the Putnam County Inmate Log.
Under the Florida Safe Haven Law, newborns less than a week old can be legally surrendered at any hospital, emergency medical service station, or fully staffed fire station across the state and the parent won't be prosecuted.