WA Woman Tried to Sell Newborn Baby at Taco Bell for $500
Heidi Lynn Knowles is an interesting person.
The 36-year-old woman from Vancouver, Washington was arrested on Thursday night after she tried to sell her 3-day-old son.
Inside a Taco Bell.
For $500.
A woman called 911 to report that Knowles had handed her the newborn and then offered to sell him for $500, reports The Columbian.
Though she denies these allegations, another witness and a Taco Bell employee corroborated the baby-selling story.
Currently being held on other outstanding warrants, the paper reports that the Sheriff's Office is urging Clark County prosecutors to charge Heidi Lynn Knowles with baby selling, but no decision has been made.
Oddly enough, Washington's criminal code has a provision that deals specifically with "baby selling" and "baby buying."
It makes it illegal to sell or purchase a child unless it's between parents, involves a designated agency or the state, is mandated by court order, or is pursuant to a surrogacy agreement.
Such a crime is a Class C felony, and carries with it up to 5 years and/or a fine up to $10,000.
Interestingly enough, Knowles could have avoided this entire situation if she had taken advantage of Washington's safe haven law.
State law places no criminal liability on a parent of an infant younger than 72-hours who leaves her child with a qualified person at an emergency room, a fire station, or a rural health clinic.
But perhaps the alleged offer wasn't about the baby's welfare and Heidi Lynn Knowles just needed the money?
Related Resources:
- Heidi Lynn Knowles, Vancouver Mom, Arrested for Trying to Sell Newborn at Taco Bell (Seattle Weekly)
- Safe Haven Laws (FindLaw)
- 'Kid for Sale' on eBay: Woman Puts Girl, 2, up for Auction (FindLaw's Legal Grounds)