Foster mum accused of trading child for monkey to expand exotic animal collection

10 April 2025 , 11:11

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Foster mum accused of trading child for monkey to expand exotic animal collection

It is said Brenda Deutsch, reportedly a collector of exotic animals, traded an adopted daughter to someone in Texas, US, for a monkey and mistreated other children in her care

A foster mum is alleged to have swapped an adopted daughter for a monkey to boost her exotic animal collection.

Brenda Deutsch, aged 70, has been charged with child abuse and endangerment in relation to the allegation she traded a kid for the animal in Texas. It led to reports of a child being missing and police investigated.

Officers continue to probe the alleged incident but have charged Deutsch, who has been a foster or adoptive parent to around 200 children over more than ten years. Mike Wood, prosecuting, said some of those children, including the girl in Texas, suffered physical and emotional abuse. 

According to KSDK in the US, Mr Wood said: "A witness who had come forward with some information regarding the systemic abuse that was going on in the home, had said that they had been asked to bring the child down to Texas and bring the monkey back in return. Obviously we have to do more investigation to see if that’s actually credible or if that’s true."

Mr Wood said Deutsch knows the woman to whom she allegedly gave the girl in return for the monkey. He added at least two witnesses have given statements to support claims this happened.

He continued: "As crazy as it sounds, we’ve had a few human trafficking cases in the past, so we’re treating it seriously.. There’s at least two witnesses who are coming forward saying that that was the case."

The pensioner has been charged with three felony counts of neglect, child abuse and child endangering, but Mr Wood’s office says it anticipates more charges in the course of the investigation.

The prosecutor also believes there has been a "systemic failure" in relation to communication with and from Missouri Department of Social Services Children’s Division in relation to the girl. The prosecution office says the authorities will look at and learn from the case.

Emma Davis

Deputy Editor