There are many families in Central Texas who are waiting to adopt a child. Most use adoption agencies to assist them in their searches for available children. But an advertisement listed on the popular Web site, Craigslist, is asking for interest in adopting a newborn baby.
The ad posted on Friday, Nov. 30, reads, "This beautiful newborn baby boy of age 9/10 months old, is reported as healthy and calm, A family with approved home study is preferred but all others are accepted on a case by case basis."
Adoption attorney Jane Hall said she's never seen anything like it.
We e-mailed the person who posted the ad wanting to know more about the circumstances, but they did not respond.
"You know for one thing this child is nine or 10 months old, she's not sure, healthy and calm. It sounds almost as though she might be thinking of cash exchange which is against the law in Texas," Hall said.
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One for the books
A newborn baby up for adoption was posted on craigslist.
 
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The ad, as is, is not against the law. In fact, Hall said it's perfectly legal if and only if the person who posted it is the baby's birth parent.
Hall said in cases like this the parents are taking tremendous risks.
"She may be deluged with people who are totally inappropriate to adopt and she needs counseling herself to make sure that this is something she absolutely wants to do," she said.
The Texas Department of Family and Protective Services read the ad too. They said what's in it isn't enough to launch a full investigation.
Hall said she can't imagine a parent in this situation not seeking free professional help from a licenced adoption agency.
