Florida woman charged with trying to sell 18-month-old daughter for $500

Police arrested a Florida woman who allegedly tried selling her 18-month-old daughter for $500 outside of a business.

Jessica Woods, 33, was arrested on March 5 and has been charged with child abuse, child neglect, and abandonment of a child, according to KOMO News.

The Palatka Police Department said that Woods had been loitering around the business with her 18-month-old child for several days before her arrest.

"Woods had been observed around the business with her daughter for a few days," said the department in a press release. "An anonymous citizen made contact with Woods and asked if she and the child needed any assistance. The anonymous citizen was an employee of the business and only knew Woods because she had frequented the area."

Woods reportedly told the citizen she didn't need any assistance and then proceeded to try to sell her child to the citizen for $500, police said.

"When the citizen refused to purchase the child, Woods walked away, leaving her daughter behind. The citizen picked the child up and immediately brought her to the Palatka Police Department and informed Officers of what happened," the press release further stated.

The child has been placed in foster care and Woods is being held in Putnam County Jail on a $255,000 bond. Police made the arrest two days after the citizen reported the incident.

Records show that Woods has a lengthy criminal history and has been arrested at least six times since October 2021. She has been arrested on charges including cocaine possession, trespassing and larceny, and others, per the outlet.