Craigslist Free Baby Ad

Two people contacted the San Diego police department after reading an advertisement offering a free baby on Craigslist, an online classified ad service. The police obtained copies of the advertisement after being alerted to the possible child endangerment matter.

The ad said: “Free baby boy to good home. My ex-girlfriend had him a few weeks ago, but now he just sits in my closet and cries. I'm not too sure how to deal with it, and I'm in a pretty low financial spot. I lost all the baby accessories. Batteries not included. Transaction final. No returns. Guaranteed not DOA.”
There was also a photograph of a baby, and the information that the baby was in San Diego and would be delivered.

The ad had been removed when the police tried to access it at noon on the same day.

Police involved in the investigation are attempting to trace the person who placed the advertisement.

Judging from the language, I'd assume it was a joke, but I understand that the police have to follow it up. Just in case.

(Thanks, Sergio.)

Advertising Birth/Babies

Posted on Sun Nov 26, 2006


Comments

Sounds like an obvious joke. The perpetrator is going to feel pretty stupid when the police show up at his door though.
Posted by Razela  in  Chicago, IL  on  Sun Nov 26, 2006  at  02:09 PM
If you happened to read craigslist on a regular basis, you would know that this type of thing happens all the time. Readers flag it, and it gets removed.... Good system, but hardly the type of thing that should be on a reputable hoax website...
Posted by coit  on  Mon Nov 27, 2006  at  05:12 AM
Where can I get this baby? Is he willing to make a trade for it? I have this old coffee maker I never use anymore, and I was thinking I could use some sort of offspring to help with the chores when he/she gets older.
Posted by AqueousBoy  on  Mon Nov 27, 2006  at  08:02 AM
Quote from Coit
"If you happened to read craigslist on a regular basis, you would know that this type of thing happens all the time. Readers flag it, and it gets removed.... Good system, but hardly the type of thing that should be on a reputable hoax website...

Hmm, well, maybe you have plenty of free time to peruse CraigsList but I, for one, do not. I strongly disagree with your judgement that it's "hardly the type of thing that should be on a reputable hoax website." It's not so much the listing that is being reported as it is the fact that the police are involved.
Posted by Chuck  in  Rhode Island  on  Mon Nov 27, 2006  at  11:01 AM
Seems there is more to this story then first meets the eye...turns out to be a rather interesting story behind this and yes, something that indeed would be on a "reputable hoax website".

'Free stuff' ad for 5-year-old a hoax

A father's online offer of custody was meant `to make the mother look bad,' cops say.

Read The Story Here
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/state/orl-locboy30113006nov30,0,3893181.story?coll=orl-home-headlines
Posted by Chuck  in  Rhode Island  on  Thu Nov 30, 2006  at  09:17 AM
Just thought I'd give you a follow-up. I don't know if this is the same "Free Kid" ad on Craigslist but I doubt there are many.

http://www.nbc10.com/news/10424961/detail.html
Posted by Cindy  on  Thu Nov 30, 2006  at  10:15 AM
"Is he willing to make a trade for it?" Pretty sure, the answer is no
Posted by Appletosh  on  Thu Dec 25, 2008  at  11:22 AM
Ya, I remember hearing about this a few years ago. But now it seems to happen more often now, so many strange ads on CL.
Posted by Sandy McNeil  on  Sat Sep 26, 2009  at  11:19 AM
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