Many parents feel like they are not up to the task of raising their child, but would you ever consider putting a baby up for sale? Young mother Bridget Wismer allegedly had an agreement to sell her newborn son to an unrelated single man John Gavaghan for $15,000. Wismer reportedly does not believe she did anything wrong. She had been permitting Gavaghan keep her son at night, and had also been calling on him “whenever she needed something for the baby.”
According to Wismer, she and Gavaghan did not have an “organized” relationship or agreement, but rather he had just informally agreed to help her raise her child. Police however allegedly have surveillance footage of Wismer and Gavaghan signing a contract for the purchase of the baby. As one would expect, sale of babies is a crime in Wismer’s home state of Delaware. Wismer and Gavaghan are facing charges of Dealing in Children and Conspiracy. The baby is currently in foster care.
Texas law prohibits the sale of children, too. Under Texas Penal Code Section 25.08, it is a second degree felony to sell or purchase a child. However, you CAN have payment arrangements for legal fees and fees charged by a child-placing agency as part of a legitimate adoption without it being considered “sale of a child”.
Are you trying to adopt (not buy) a child? The Wright Firm can help you with your adoption case. Give us a call at (972) 353-4600 or check us out on the web at www.thewrightlawyers.com.
Original story can be found here: http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2011/10/04/police-delaware-mom-agreed-to-sell-newborn-to-philadelphia-man/
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