A mother from Texas, Juniper Bryson, has been arrested for attempting to sell her baby on Facebook. Bryson, 21, is now in Harris County Jail facing a felony charge of trying to sell a child.
According to court records, Bryson posted in a Facebook group called “Birth Mothers Looking for Adoptive Parent(s)” on September 22. She sought someone to adopt her unborn baby boy, according to the Independent.
Bryson had initially contacted a relative out of state to find potential adoptive parents, revealing that the baby would test positive for drugs. This relative then posted in the Facebook group on Bryson’s behalf. Later, Bryson mentioned to the relative that she was also looking for payment for the child.
Bryson wrote, “Just enough to move into an apartment so I can work a job and get (my daughter) back, or a cheap down payment, or any car to get to different places to DoorDash. Nothing crazy at all,” according to the relative.
Police said that Bryson spoke to seven different people about adopting her baby. Among them was Wendy Williams, who was with Bryson at the hospital in Houston when she went into labor on September 24.
Williams told ABC, “I felt a connection as if he were biologically mine.” She added she witnessed Bryson suffering from withdrawals during their time at the hospital. Williams noted, “I just thought this was someone who was in a really bad position. The drugs had overtaken, and she just wanted to get better.”
Williams and her husband were given the right to make legal decisions for the baby, and the documents were notarized. Bryson even allowed them to name the baby. However, while still in the hospital, Bryson posted on Facebook, stating she had found parents for the baby and tagged Williams. This led to people sending Williams screenshots of messages showing Bryson attempting to sell the baby.
Williams said that Bryson never discussed any payment with her. When confronted, Bryson told a nurse to remove Williams from her room, and Williams left with presents dropped off by her family.
Bryson revoked her custody of the child, and Williams reported the situation to Child Protective Services. Bryson was arrested days later for open warrants.