Should 20 yr old be punished for listing her 2 year old cousin for sale on Ebay?

[apples and oranges]

GRAND RAPIDS (WKZO)-- A 20-year old Grand Valley student of Allendale Township listed her 2-year-old cousin for sale on eBay. Authorities are reporting the woman accepted a buyers offer of 1,000 for the child she was babysitting. In the listing's description the girl was described as someone who "can clean and hold a decent conversation."

The potential buyer posted the bid in attempts to have the listing taken off the site. The buyer immediately notified police and provided authoritires with the name and telephone number from the listing.

The ad titled "Kid For Sale" was posted Monday. Investigation is still underway by Ottawa County detectives to determine criminal charges. The 2-year-old is now in the care of her mother.

http://wkzo.com/news/articles/2011/may/17/allendale-twp-woman-posts-2-year-old-sale-ebay/

[FSogol]

1. That's one way to get out of babysitting. n/t

[William769]

2. Yes, for many reasons that should be obvious.

[FBaggins]

3. What was the "potential buyer" searching for that came up with this hit?

No. There's no need for authorities to punish her absent a reason to believe that she would have carried through with the sale.

[Nye Bevan]

4. Absolutely. She deserves negative or neutral feedback. (nt)

[hlthe2b]

8. As the "seller" she CAN get negative feedback; Buyer, only positive...

so Ebay--what's wrong with that picture? :eyes:

[Skidmore]

5. Well, some people need to be smacked with a 2x4 to

gain common sense. There are people out in this godforsaken nation who traffic in children. Who would know just from looking at an internet listing if she were serious or not.

[damntexdem]

6. Yes: human slavery is illegal, and unconstitutional.

And if the child was not really for sale, then this is fraud.

[polichick]

7. At least one thing is clear: The woman is too stupid to be a babysitter.

[stranger81]

9. Is this a rhetorical question?

Of course she should be punished. And if I believed in forced sterilization, she'd be a prime candidate.

[apples and oranges]

12. The problem is, we are in a new era

People are not clear on what is allowed and not allowed online, and as a result, people are finding themselves in hot water based on laws that are not even in place yet. IN her mind, she was just goofing off, no harm intended.. but now she may end up serving time over a foolish prank.

[Ninjaneer]

10. This is just too weird.

:crazy:

[Gormy Cuss]

11. Depends. What's the punishment for eBay allowing this listing?

The 20 yr old needs a good slap on the wrist if she did this as a gag, but criminal charges if she had criminal intent. Either way, eBay should ban her as a seller.

[jwirr]

14. EBay has a clearly stated rules section and I am sure this is one of

the no-nos. I don't think they even allow selling of animals.

[phleshdef]

13. It was just a joke right?

Other than being subjected to Ebay policies for frivolous listings, unless she was seriously trying to sell a kid, then no.

[HappyMe]

15. Well, the first thing wrong here

is that the wretched fool wasn't watching the kid at all. Too busy messing around on the computer.

If I were the 2 yr. old's mom, I think a restraining order would be a good place to start.

[Octafish]

16. First prosecute Bush for lying America into two illegal, immoral, unnecessary and disastrous wars.

And all the rest of the treasons he and his cronies did, too.