Babysitter Lists Toddler For Sale On eBay

GRAND RAPIDS (WWJ) - A 20-year-old Ottawa County babysitter is facing charges after putting her cousin's two-year-old daughter up for sale on eBay.

Ottawa County Sheriff's Lt. Mark Bennett thinks it was an attempt to con someone out of $1000.

"We believe, at this point, that it was an effort to have somebody pay her some money and then take off with the money and not transfer the child," Bennett told WWJ Newsradio 950.  "She had some money issues. She was behind in rent and other things of that sort. So, there was certainly some motivation there," he said.

Bennett said the woman had been babysitting the little girl.

"Logistically, we don't think that it would have been practical (for her to actually sell the child). She was too connected to the family. Everyone knew that the suspect was entrusted with the care of this child," he said.

Bennett said they arrested the woman, who reports have identified as Autumn Brade, after getting calls from around the country from people who had seen the posting.  At that time, she admitted her involvement, but insisted it was a hoax.

The woman is facing felony charges of trying to obtain money under false pretenses.