A 21-year-old Houston woman, Juniper Bryson, faces serious charges after allegedly attempting to sell her newborn through social media. Bryson, who is being held on a $30,000 bond, has been charged with the “sale or purchase of a child,” according to court records. This charge comes after an investigation that began on September 23 when Houston police received a tip about Bryson’s activities on Facebook.
The investigation revealed that on September 21, Bryson allegedly contacted a family acquaintance, inquiring if they knew any families interested in adopting. She reportedly disclosed that her baby might test positive for drugs and expressed that she couldn’t keep him.
Bryson then took to a Facebook group for birth mothers and prospective adoptive families, listing her location as Houston and suggesting she was willing to travel for the right adoption arrangement.
On September 24, Bryson gave birth at a local hospital, with an acquaintance present during her labor who had shown interest in adopting. Police allege that she was seeking “the highest bidder” for the baby, waiting to finalize any arrangement until she had secured a financial offer. Users who noticed her posts flagged the situation, prompting authorities to investigate further.
Court records suggest that Bryson’s messages included requests for financial compensation in exchange for her child. The content of these messages raised red flags, leading police to formally charge her with attempting to sell her newborn.
Houston Police Department spokespersons indicated that Bryson’s alleged behavior violated both state and federal laws governing adoption practices. While adoption and financial support are legal, Bryson’s alleged negotiation for direct compensation in exchange for her newborn constitutes child trafficking under Texas law.
Bryson is expected to appear in court today at 9 a.m., where more details about her actions and the potential legal consequences may be revealed. If convicted, she could face significant penalties, as Texas law treats the sale or purchase of a child as a serious offense.
