A 21-year-old woman from Texas has been arrested after she allegedly tried to sell her newborn baby boy to the “highest bidder” on Facebook.
Juniper Bryson was taken into custody last week after attempting to sell her baby, seeking at least $150 from potential buyers, even before she went into labor. She has been charged with one count of felony sale or purchase of a child.
According to a probable cause affidavit obtained by Law & Crime, the Houston Police Department received a report on September 23 that Bryson was attempting to sell her unborn child on Facebook. The day before, she allegedly posted in a Facebook group called “Birthing Mothers looking for adoptive parent(s).”
In the post, Bryson reportedly wrote, “I am in Houston, TX but willing to travel if we can arrange that. I do have a lot of pain and am contracting, so it needs to be soon.” She also allegedly contacted a family member, asking if they knew anyone interested in adopting, mentioning that the baby would test positive for drugs.
The family member later posted on Facebook, stating that Bryson was seeking adoptive parents because she didn’t want the child to go into foster care. Several people responded to the post. Bryson allegedly told her family member that anyone wishing to adopt the child would need to “compensate” her.
When asked if she meant money for the baby, Bryson reportedly replied, “No it’s not, it’s surrogacy. 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.”
The family member eventually stopped trying to help Bryson and informed police that she was at the hospital waiting for the “highest bidder” to adopt the child.
An investigation revealed that Bryson had sent messages to several people, including a same-sex couple traveling from Louisiana, discussing payment. In one message, Bryson allegedly stated, “I’m not waiting to get paid until after [giving birth],” and requested “a minimum of 150 bucks up front.”
The couple reportedly sent Bryson $25 via Apple Pay to complete a food delivery and mentioned handling the adoption through an attorney. Bryson allegedly refused and demanded $150, later blocking the couple when they indicated they weren’t willing to pay that amount.
Another woman, Wendy Williams, was with Bryson at the hospital and confirmed that the baby tested positive for drugs after birth. Williams and her husband reportedly signed legal documents giving them temporary custody of the baby. However, after receiving several “ugly” messages about the situation, Williams contacted CPS, which led to police involvement.
Bryson was arrested at the hospital and is currently being held in Harris County Jail on a $30,000 bond. She is set to appear in court on November 7. The baby is reportedly with one of Bryson’s friends.
