Deputies announced later that they'd arrested a second person connection with the case. Lawrence Works, 42, of Holly Hill, was charged with being a principal to the illegal sale or surrender of a child. It's unclear what his connection is to Bigbee or the child.
The FDLE said the investigation began in October, when they said Bigbee approached an unidentified "third party," offering to sell the baby for $75,000. Investigators say the buyer talked down the price of the infant to $30,000, which Bigbee agreed to accept. FDLE agents said they arrested Bigbee at the scene of the would-be transaction, turning the infant over to the Department of Children and Families.
Officials said the baby's mother is currently incarcerated on unrelated charges. Bigbee was booked into Volusia County Jail on charges of illegal sale or surrender of a child and communication fraud. The FDLE said its investigation is ongoing. Officials described the buyer as a "confidential source." A Department of Children and Families spokesman said the baby showed no outward signs of neglect or abuse and is "doing well."
There's a news video here.
It's impossible to know if it's true or not but there are some reports saying that the "buyer" was Patty Bigbee's daughter, whom she gave up for adoption. Something else that's been reported is that the baby's mother was well aware of what was going on and was perfectly happy. I really hope that isn't true.
ReplyDeleteNo mother that deserves that title could even contemplate selling her child or allowing it to happen. The thought should terrify them, make them angry, make them feel ill. The idea of child protection isn't just a set of laws or something that social services take care of. It's a deep primal instinct in any parent; putting their child first, wanting to protect their interests at all costs.
A child is not a commodity to be bought or sold. And if you believe otherwise, there's something horribly wrong with you.