U.S. woman charged with trying to sell baby at Taco Bell

VANCOUVER, WASH.—A woman accused of trying to sell her newborn son at a Taco Bell restaurant in southwest Washington has been charged with attempted child selling because she wasn’t successful.

According to court documents, prosecutors allege that 36-year-old Heidi Knowles approached a woman in the restaurant on July 14, handed her the baby and offered to sell him for between $500 and $5,000. The woman declined and called 911.

Clark County Senior Deputy Prosecutor Dustin Richardson says the evidence doesn’t support a felony charge of child selling. Attempted child selling is a gross misdemeanour, punishable by a maximum year in jail and $5,000 fine.

Child Protective Services took the baby into protective custody. The Columbian reports that Knowles remains in the Clark County Jail on $50,000 bail. Her next court appearance is set for Aug. 2.