14 March 2024 , 10:56
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A woman has been arrested after allegedly trying to sell her baby for $500 (£390) outside a bank before walking off and abandoning the child.
Jessica Woods, 33, appeared to have been experiencing homelessness when she told another woman she could have her 18-month-old baby in exchange for money. Over the course of several days since March 5, the mother had reportedly been seen frequenting the streets around an H&R Block store in Palatka, Florida.
Staff recognised her as having used the bank's facilities to change her baby's diaper, an employee at the office told police. The witness raised concerns over the mother's care of the baby and claimed that, on that day, while Woods was at the restroom changing her daughter, she hit the baby with her elbow and then spanked her.
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The mother had asked to use the facilities at an office to change ger baby's diaper - A previous mugshot (Palatka Police Department)According to an affidavit seen by the Daily Mail, on the next day, the worker then returned to the office the next day to find Woods sleeping on top of an air condition unit on the street. Her baby was also sleeping near her in a shopping trolley without a blanket, according to the witness.
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The office employee reportedly confronted the mother and asked if she needed any help, according to the affidavit. Woods asked for money but when the employee offered to buy her items instead, Woods became frustrated and, according to the witness, threw her child.
At around 2pm on the same day, the witness said Woods crossed the busy street and approached to talk to her. She reportedly put the baby down on the ground, near some grass and the infant began to crawl towards a busy road, the affidavit said.
Jessica Woods had been seen frequenting the streets around an H&R Block store in Palatka, Florida (Google Maps)For all the latest news, politics, sports, and showbiz from the USA, go to The Mirror US
The worker picked up the baby and at this point, Woods allegedly offered to sell her daughter for $500. Police said: "Woods told the citizen she did not need anything but, offered to sell the child to the citizen for $500. When the citizen refused to purchase the child, Woods walked away, leaving her daughter behind."
According to the affidavit, when the woman refused to give her money Woods replied: "You can have the b*****d," before walking away. Then, the worker reportedly took the child into the office and cleaned her up.
The affidavit said: "Jessica did not return to take custody of [the child]." The employee took the baby to the Palatka Police Department and explained the situation.
Officers and the Department’s Victim Advocate provided care to the child until the Department of Children and Families took custody of her. The child has since been placed in foster care, police said in a press release.
Woods has been charged with child abuse, child neglect, abandonment of a child and selling a minor for money. She was located and arrested on March 7 and transported to the Putnam County Jail. Her bond was initially set at $255,000 (£199,000) and court documents appear to show she was ordered to have no contact with her victim.