A Texas mother has been charged with trying to sell her newborn baby on social media.
KPRC reports that, according to court documents, the Houston Police Department began investigating on September 23 after receiving a tip that 21-year-old Juniper Bryson was trying to sell a baby on Facebook.
According to the report, Bryson asked the family two days ago if they knew of any families who would like to adopt. She reportedly told her relatives that she could not keep the baby because the baby might test positive for drugs.
She later posted on a Facebook group purported to connect expectant mothers with potential adopters that she was in Houston but could travel if arrangements could be made.
Bryson gave birth on September 24th at the hospital with someone who was interested in adopting her. Police said Bryson was waiting for the “highest bidder” before finalizing an adoption arrangement.
According to court documents, Bryson sent messages with potential adoptive parents asking for payment for the baby.
The Louisiana couple told investigators that after sending Bryson money to feed their baby, Bryson demanded an additional $150 three and a half hours into their trip to Houston, according to KTRK. gave a statement. She blocked them when they flinched, then unblocked them and said, “If your baby isn’t worth $200, screw it all.”
Wendy Williams said she was the one at the hospital when the baby was born. She said Bryson did not ask her for money and she signed legal documents handing over the baby to Williams and her husband.
Meanwhile, Bryson posted on Facebook that she had found a home for her baby, tagging Williams, but Williams started receiving comments calling her “ugly.”
“‘How could you sell this baby?’ they wrote to Bryson,” Williams said. “And they tagged me, ‘How could you buy this baby?'”
When she asked Bryson about it, still in the hospital, Williams said Bryson had a nurse remove her from the room. Williams said she contacted Child Protective Services and police were called.
Williams said Bryson signed off on custody of the child before he was led away in handcuffs.
Bryson is being held in the Harris County Jail on $30,000 bail, according to KTRK.
For the latest true crime and justice news, subscribe to our podcast, Crime Stories with Nancy Grace.
(Featured image: Juniper Bryson/Harris County Sheriff’s Office)
