The mother of the 8-week-old baby boy put up for sale for $30,000, was arrested for her role in the scheme, Florida Department of Law Enforcement officers said.
Stephanie Bigbee Fleming, 22, of Bradenton, Florida, the baby’s mother, has been charged with one count of illegal sale or surrender of a child and is currently being held in the Manatee County Jail.
Last Friday, November 5, FDLE agents arrested the baby boy’s grandmother, Patty Bigbee, 45 and Lawrence Works, 42, both of Holly Hill, Florida for attempting to sell the infant.
The investigation began in late October after Bigbee approached a third party buyer and offered to sell the infant for $75,000. After a series of negotiations, the price for purchase of the infant was agreed upon at $30,000. Bigbee and Works were arrested when they met the buyer to complete the sale in Daytona Beach. The buyer was known to the subjects and worked with law enforcement throughout the investigation.
An arrest warrant for Fleming was issued after the investigation revealed that she and Bigbee had discussed the selling price for the child and how the funds would be split. Investigators allege Fleming had agreed to receive $9,000 for the sale of her baby. Fleming planned to purchase a new vehicle from the money received.
The investigation was handled by agents from FDLE’s Tampa Bay, Ft. Myers and Orlando Regional Operations Center.
Fleming was charged with one count of Principal to Illegal Sale or Surrender of a Child, and her bond amount is $50,000. She is currently being held in the Manatee County Jail.
The infant remains in the custody of the Florida Department of Children and Families.
