A Florida mother was jailed on child abuse charges after she tried to sell her baby to a worried stranger for $500, then abandoned her baby.
Jessica Woods, 33, had been identified by employees of the Palatka H&R Block as frequently loitering before her arrest. new york post report.
On March 4, according to probable cause, Woods was seen punching his 18-month-old child inside a tax office bathroom. affidavit obtained by daily mail.
The next morning, Woods was found sleeping outside on an air conditioner, and her daughter was in a shopping cart nearby, completely unprotected from the elements and other dangers.
The H&R Block employee then allegedly asked Woods if she needed help and demanded money in response.
In exchange for cash, employees offered to purchase items they deemed needed. However, her mother became so furious that she allegedly “threw the child” before taking her child and walking away.
Woods returned later that day with the baby, and the same employee saw the baby girl trying to crawl out into the driveway.
After an employee picked up the baby, presumably saving her life, she was allegedly asked by Mr. Woods if she wanted to buy the child.
“Woods told the citizen he didn’t need anything, but then offered to sell the child to the citizen for $500,” the Palatka Police Department said. “When the citizen refused to buy the child, Mr. Woods left and left his daughter.”
Press Release: On March 5, 2024, Jessica Woods, 33, of Palatka, was wandering around a local mall with her 18-month-old baby.
Contributor Palatka Police Station upon Wednesday, March 13, 2024
The employee “immediately” took the baby to the police and reported it.
The child has since been placed in foster care, officials said.
Woods is charged with six felonies, including child abuse, child neglect, and child neglect.
She was booked into the Putnam County Jail with bail set at $255,000. post report.
