Jessica Woods was seen “loitering around a local business” with her young child in Palatka, Florida, located about 55 miles from Daytona Beach, on March 5.
An employee of the business approached the 33-year-old mom to offer help but Woods then asked if they wanted to buy her baby, according to a press release by the Palatka Police Department.
Woods and the child had been seen around the area for a number of days before the citizen approached the pair.
“An anonymous citizen made contact with Woods and asked if she and the child needed any assistance,” the press release states.
“The anonymous citizen was an employee of the business and only knew Woods because she had frequented the area.
“Woods told the citizen she did not need anything but, offered to sell the child to the citizen for $500.00.”
According to police when the person refused to buy the child, Woods walked off, leaving her daughter behind.
The citizen brought the child into the police department and informed officers of Woods’ alleged comments.
“Palatka Police Officers with assistance of the Department’s Victim Advocate provided care to the child until the Department of Children and Families responded and took custody of her,” police said.
The young child has since been placed into foster care and Woods was arrested on March 7.
She was charged with aggravated child abuse, child neglect, and abandonment of a child, county records state.
Woods was transported to the Putnam County Jail with a bond of $255,000.
In a mugshot from the Putnam County Police Department, the mother can be seen looking directly at the camera with swollen eyes.
A no-contact order has been signed off meaning Woods cannot see or contact her alleged victim.
The U.S. Sun has contacted the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office for comment.
