A Florida woman was charged with the illegal sale of a child after trying to exchange her infant son for cash in order to pay for a new car.
Stephanie Bigbee Fleming, 22, her mother Patty Bigbee, 45, and her boyfriend Lawrence Works, 42, were all arrested in the plot.
According to authorities, the baby’s grandmother brokered the deal and initially demanded $75,000 but agreed to cut the price to $30,000 when told the prospective buyer could not get a bank loan.
The mother’s take on the sale was to be $9,000.
“Fleming planned to purchase a new vehicle from the money received,” says a Florida Department of Law Enforcement spokesperson.
According to arrest documents, Fleming also needed money to pay court costs for an unrelated probation violation.
The investigation started after Bigbee reportedly offered to sell the baby to a female relative in October, explaining she had been caring for her grandchild but “was not mother material.”
The relative alerted police and cooperated with the negotiations. Bigbee and Works were arrested when they exchanged the baby for a $30,000 cashier’s check with an undercover agent in a Daytona Beach parking lot.
Bigbee was also charged with communications fraud.
The baby remains in state custody.
MORE HIP-HOP WIRED NEWS
Nicki Minaj In BlackMen SSX Tribute Magazine [Photos]
Nelly To Open Pacquiao vs. Margarito Fight
Kanye West Says “No More Press” After Today Show Interview
Sister2Sister Magazine Celebrates 22nd Anniversary, Honors Matthew Knowles [Photos]
Bush Forgives Kanye: “I’m Not A Hater”
