Baby for Sale!

on January 20, 2009 at 8:42 AM

Teens try to sell baby

on Craigslist

What to do when your baby cries too much? Put it up for sale. At least that's what some teens in Michigan tried to do.

Three teen boys place a classified ad on Craigslist with a picture of an infant. The ad read:

"Damn kid won't stop crying and it's pissing me off. Drive out here and you can have it ... baby girl 5 weeks old. Get it [out of here]."

Several people, who were concerned about the baby, called police about the ad. The teens said it was a prank and there is no baby. They're being disciplined by their school—though I'm not sure where the school comes into play. The police are still trying to find out the identity of the baby in the photo.

Last year, an Oregon man was arrested for posting a Baby for Sale ad on Craigslist. He pretended to be the parents of a baby he was selling for $1,000 and said they had run out of drugs and needed money. It turned out to be a hoax (thought the parents and the baby were real), but he probably didn't find it so funny when he found himself behind bars—it's a felony to advertise a baby for sale in the state of Oregon.

A man in New Hampshire was also investigated last year for placing an ad to sell his one-year-old daughter.

I've seen some babies for sale here on CafeMom, but I think those "ads" are funny and sweet, and we know not to take them seriously. Somehow the Craigslist ads seem different.

What do all you Baby Mamas think? Do you think ads to sell babies are all in good fun—no harm done? Or do you think they're wrong?

About the author Suzanne Murray

is the Parenting & Political editor at The Stir/Moms Matter 2012.

Filed Under: colic & crying

Comments (22)

Plus-size-mommy

on Jan 20, 2009 at 8:52 AM

um, they are really wrong!! when we do it on here, everyone knows it's just a frustrated mommy who is trying to lighten a situation. Cafemom is not a "selling site" like Ebay and Craigslist are, you don't come here for the sole purpose of buying or selling something. That is the sole reason to go to Craigslist, they are wrong and should be punished!

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JenniferC28

on Jan 20, 2009 at 9:20 AM

It's beyond wrong! I could never even prank something like that. I think it's sad to read the pranks like that haveing a 4 month old, it just makes me sad to even think about people joking about it because I know there are people out there who really would try that.

divinity80921

on Jan 20, 2009 at 9:50 AM

As long as I know it's all in good humor, I would probably laugh. It's not always easy living with a baby and keeping a sense of humor goes a long way toward keeping one's sanity. But no, I would never post such an ad.

bigblueeyes

on Jan 20, 2009 at 10:01 AM

i totally agree with plus-size-mommy....those sites are set specifically for selling....cm is a site for moms to come and get support for dealing with issues such as crying babies....and yes...it is different on here....like has been said....this is a place for moms to come and vent and know that they are safe to do so

cookingmamma77

on Jan 20, 2009 at 10:12 AM

that's just wrong trying to sell your baby.......that's not a funny joke.....my kids drive me crazy I have 3 boys I would never think about selling them or making a joke about it.....if you think it's funny that people would say that then you got problems....people can't have be greatful that you are blessed enough to have any...

dharmas_mommy

on Jan 20, 2009 at 10:28 AM

On a site like Craigs list or ebay I'd be upset but on sites like CM and parents connect and stuff like that I'd take it as a joke. Like when I tell Dharma to get a job...

MAyers

on Jan 20, 2009 at 10:30 AM

LOL I tried to get rid of my whole family on here during Christmas time (they was all sick!) but I think on Craigslist or another selling website is wrong, even if they did just make it as a joke. Like the other mom's said when make a post about our kids or in my case my family it's just b/c we're frustrated and need to vent.

nellibatel

on Jan 20, 2009 at 10:49 AM

Totally wrong!!!!!!! you don't play with your child's life like that, NO WAY!

breathing

on Jan 20, 2009 at 11:09 AM

At first I thought the buzz topic was a joke, I thought "hey, I've felt that way" till I kept reading!!! Wow! It's amazing how obnoxious people can be. When it's just people you know and who know you...yeah, it's funny in a sympathy evoking kind of way--but not on those sites.