PALATKA, Fla. (TCD) — Police recently arrested a 33-year-old mother on suspicion of trying to sell her daughter to someone and then abandoning her when the person refused.
According to the Palatka Police Department, Jessica Woods loitered outside a local business with her 18-month-old daughter on March 5. She reportedly continued to do so for a few days. Police said an anonymous employee of the business noticed Woods frequenting the area and asked her if she needed any help, but she declined the assistance. Instead, Woods allegedly offered to sell her toddler to the individual for $500, but they declined. Woods reportedly walked away and left her daughter outside the business.
The individual brought the child into the police department and provided information regarding the incident. Police and the department’s victim advocate cared for the 18-month-old until the Department of Children and Families took custody of her. She has been placed in foster care.
Police detectives obtained a warrant for Woods’ arrest on charges of child abuse, child neglect, and abandonment of a child. Officials apprehended Woods on March 7, and she was booked into the Putnam County Jail.
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