A Texas woman is not going to receive a Mother of the Year award. Instead she may receive prison time for placing her three-year-old son for adoption on Craigslist, the online marketplace.
From a report by KHOU-TV in Houston:
A 29-year-old mother who suffers from depression and anxiety says she placed a public ad offering to give her 3-year-old son up for adoption because she was off her meds, according to Houston police.
Stephanie Christine Redus was charged with advertising for placement of a child; a misdemeanor.
Police ran across a Craigslist ad seeking a good home for a 3-year-old.
The posting read “Hi. I’m trying to adopt out my 3yr old son. I’m not in a good place in my life and don’t feel like I can care for him properly but I don’t know where to start. If you or know anyone who is interested in caring for him please let me know. I’m a single mom and can’t do this. Thanks, Desperate.”
Craigslist was served a grand jury subpoena ordering the release of the person’s profile responsible for the posting. That profile was matched to Redus.
During a recorded interview on May 9, Redus admitted to placing the ad, but said she never intended to give up her child. The mom said she only spoke to one person, and asked if they had any additional children and requested to see pictures of their home, according to court documents
Redus was feeling guilty after making her initial statement and returned to the police department on May 13 in order to clear the air.
During another recorded interview, Redus told investigators she was bothered because she did not tell the complete truth. She then said she posted the ad while she was at her job in Humble and that she actually replied to several people about the adoption.
Redus said she is pregnant and has not been able to take her medication to combat her depression and anxiety. The ad, she said, was just a way to help her with her anxiety.
The boy is now under the care of his father.
h/t Jill Stanek
