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april.thompson@wreg.com
(Memphis 5/15/2009) You can find just about anything on Craigslist.
It can be yours for a price.
But when an ad popped up Thursday night for a 4 month old baby on sale for $7,000 in Cordova, many screamed it was over the top.
Vicki Wooten, a new mom, can't believe it.
"I can't imagine it was serious. Sounds like somebody doing a stupid joke. I can't imagine any parent would actually put a baby on Craigslist." says Wooten.
The ad was quickly pulled after shocked internet surfers started firing off emails.
One said 'I pray that precious baby is safe. You should turn to God! Me and my husband have been through very bad times together and apart, but NEVER would I ever think of selling or giving away kids to anyone.'
Another writes, 'ARE YOU CRAZY! This is Craigslist NOT the black market. You seriously need a mental evaluation.'
Sgt. Len Edwards with the Commission on Missing & Exploited Children says the ad is sad reality.
"They are out there trolling, looking for opportunities, looking for opportunities to exploit, to take advantage of, to make money." says Edwards.
While police work to track down who is behind the ad, parents still wonder are they serious.
"I guess somebody would have to be awfully desperate and it's sad. It's sad." says Josh Benjamin who is a father.
"I'm pregnant. I've got twins. I think it's surprising. I think that's crazy. I guess they will stop it." says Diane Benjamin, who is a mother.
Craigslist, which has already been blasted for allowing ads for sex on its site, is suppose to have mechanisms in place to monitor what is posted.
The baby-for-sale ad was quickly pulled.
But we're told with Craigslist and its 50-million users, it's likely not the last time something like this gets through.
- Internet users upset over Craigslist posting that has a baby for sale
- Police looking into who posted the ad
- Parents shocked over posting
april.thompson@wreg.com
(Memphis 5/15/2009) You can find just about anything on Craigslist.
It can be yours for a price.
But when an ad popped up Thursday night for a 4 month old baby on sale for $7,000 in Cordova, many screamed it was over the top.
Vicki Wooten, a new mom, can't believe it.
"I can't imagine it was serious. Sounds like somebody doing a stupid joke. I can't imagine any parent would actually put a baby on Craigslist." says Wooten.
The ad was quickly pulled after shocked internet surfers started firing off emails.
One said 'I pray that precious baby is safe. You should turn to God! Me and my husband have been through very bad times together and apart, but NEVER would I ever think of selling or giving away kids to anyone.'
Another writes, 'ARE YOU CRAZY! This is Craigslist NOT the black market. You seriously need a mental evaluation.'
Sgt. Len Edwards with the Commission on Missing & Exploited Children says the ad is sad reality.
"They are out there trolling, looking for opportunities, looking for opportunities to exploit, to take advantage of, to make money." says Edwards.
While police work to track down who is behind the ad, parents still wonder are they serious.
"I guess somebody would have to be awfully desperate and it's sad. It's sad." says Josh Benjamin who is a father.
"I'm pregnant. I've got twins. I think it's surprising. I think that's crazy. I guess they will stop it." says Diane Benjamin, who is a mother.
Craigslist, which has already been blasted for allowing ads for sex on its site, is suppose to have mechanisms in place to monitor what is posted.
The baby-for-sale ad was quickly pulled.
But we're told with Craigslist and its 50-million users, it's likely not the last time something like this gets through.
