The Florida Police Department arrested A homeless woman allegedly tried to sell her daughter to one woman and then to another man for sex.
The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office said officers responded to a call about a 32-year-old woman in downtown Jacksonville.
“If you give me $20 I’ll give you her.”
Police said the kindergarten teacher was delivering food donations to the shelter when a woman offered to sell her daughter for $20.
“Take her, pay me $20 and I’ll give her to you,” the woman allegedly told the teacher.
Police later spoke with a different man, who said the same woman had offered to have sex with his daughter for $5. The man would not speak to police about the incident until police approached him, police noted.
The girl was reportedly left unattended.
“The 10-year-old girl was crying, hungry and appeared to have not had a bath in days,” police wrote, adding that the girl was extremely lethargic.
The woman was arrested on suspicion of trafficking or delivering a minor for money or property, and child abuse, both third-degree felonies.
The mother’s identity has not been released to protect her daughter’s privacy.
The boy was taken to hospital for treatment and then transferred to an undisclosed secure location while the investigation continues.
Tom Hackney, safety analyst, WJXT-TV Said Typically, when parents are selling their children, they are often looking for money to support their drug addiction.
“These types of cases are happening all across the county and drug abuse is at the core. They’re so desperate for their next drug hit that they’ll sell anything. And in some cases this woman is willing to sell her child,” Hackney said.
However, WJXT reported that police have not yet determined what the woman’s motive was.
Police said they were investigating further to see if the woman offered her daughter to someone else. The case has been referred to the State Attorney’s Special Assault Unit, Child Protection Team and the Florida Department of Children and Families. The FBI is also investigating the matter.
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