Man Tries To Sell Baby For $100 On Craigslist

A Staten Island man has been accused of trying to sell a 2-month-old baby on Craigslist.

Paul Marquez posted an ad offering a baby for $100 late last month. The ad was listed in the Staten Island section under baby and kid stuff, for sale by owner. The posting was flagged and removed at least once, but Marquez reposted it.

“I have a 2-month-old baby, she loves to play and have her little fun, but there’s one problem, doctors say she has asthma and if she turns a certain way she can stop breathing,” the ad read. “She’s really getting on my nerves and I don’t want her.” The ad also included pictures of the baby.

The baby is the daughter of a 19-year-old Marquez met online and dated briefly. The 23-year-old said he posted the ads to get back at the mother for not spending more time with him. He also gave out her phone number.

The mother said at least one person called and offered to buy the baby. Staten Island investigators are looking into the phone call.

Paul Marquez was arrested Thursday and is being held on $1,000 bail. He is charged with harassment and endangering the welfare of a child. He is also charged with a social service violation of authority to place or board out children. He faces up to a year in jail if convicted.

In May, a Texas woman posted an ad offering her son for adoption on Craigslist. Stephanie Christine redus had to discontinue medication for anxiety and depression because she was pregnant. The 29-year-old said she was overwhelmed with her 3-year-old son and wanted to find someone else to take care of him. She said she wasn’t in a good place in her life and she didn’t think she would be able to care for him properly. The child was placed with his father, but Redus said she never had any intention to give him up.

What do you think of Paul Marquez trying to sell a baby on Craigslist?