Houston woman charged with trying to sell newborn son

HOUSTON – Juniper Bryson faces felony charges for attempting to sell her unborn child to the highest bidder after she gave birth in Harris County.

According to court documents, a 21-year-old woman is accused of selling or buying a child after she asked people for compensation to take her child out of the hospital because she did not want the child to end up in foster care and was concerned that he d tested positive for drugs.

On Sept. 21, Bryson asked a family member if they knew anyone willing to adopt a child, and the family member reached out to other people on Facebook to find possible parents willing to adopt the child, records state. In a family member’s Facebook post, she wrote: “She (Bryson) needs someone there during the birth to take the boy home. She doesn’t want him to end up in foster care.”

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When Bryson mentioned getting money for the baby, a family member told her it was illegal and she sounded “crazy,” officials said. She later told authorities that she had no idea about Bryson’s true intentions when she initially approached him.

Based on court records of their conversation, Bryson told a family member that she just needed enough “to move into an apartment so I can work… or a cheap down payment on any car to get to places to rush out the door, nothing crazy.” . All.”

In a Facebook group for birth mothers seeking adoptive parents, Bryson posted on Sept. 22 that she was ready to go and had a contract so it needed to happen soon.

Court records allege that another woman was in the hospital at the time Bryson gave birth because she was hoping to adopt the baby. The woman told authorities she approached Bryson about her unborn son at the time because she was licensed to adopt and foster children. After the conversation, the woman arrived at the hospital because Bryson thought she would give birth ahead of schedule. At the hospital, the woman said that Bryson gave birth on September 24, and after testing, the hospital confirmed the presence of drugs in the newborn’s body.

Officials say Bryson posted a photo of the baby on Facebook and tagged the woman, who then began receiving messages asking, “Did you buy her a baby?” This continued until the woman realized what was happening, gave the nurse screenshots of the original Facebook post, and contacted Child Protective Services.

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At the time, the woman says Bryson did not ask her for compensation, but knew the 21-year-old had asked other women for money, documents say. After seeing Bryson’s phone, the woman said she was waiting for “the highest bidder in exchange for her son.”

Court’s documents say that after investigating Bryson’s phone, she communicated with several people who asked for money if they wanted her child. In one text message, Bryson asked for a minimum $150 advance from a couple traveling to Houston from Louisiana. When they refused to pay, Bryson allegedly said, “If her baby isn’t worth $200 to them, then screw you all.”

Bryson’s bond was originally set at $30,000, but it was increased to $60,000 Thursday.