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German parents post baby on eBay for 1 euro

BERLIN —

Authorities in southern Germany said Saturday they have taken custody of a 7-month-old boy after his parents posted an ad on eBay offering to sell him for one euro ($1.57).
 
Peter Hieber, a spokesman for police in the Bavarian town of Krumbach, said the baby was placed in the care of youth services in the southwestern Allgaeu region, although the child’s 23-year-old mother insisted the ad was only a joke.
 
Authorities have launched an investigation into possible child trafficking against the baby’s mother and 24-year-old father, neither of whom was identified.
 
“Offering my nearly new baby for sale, as it has gotten too loud. It is a male baby, nearly 28 inches (70 cm) long and can be used either in a baby carrier or a stroller,” police quoted the ad as reading.
 
No offers were made for the child in the two hours and 30 minutes the ad was posted on Tuesday. EBay later deleted the posting, but assisted police in tracking down the parents.
 
Several people who saw the ad alerted police.

Copyright 2008/9 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

8 Comments

  • GrouchyGaijin at 08:46 AM JST - 25th May

    Ve arr NOTT amuzed!

  • some14some at 08:51 AM JST - 25th May

    Several people who saw the ad alerted police

    Good, a sign of healthy society.

  • GrouchyGaijin at 08:53 AM JST - 25th May

    And the Polizei DID something, unlike....

  • rjd_jr at 09:19 AM JST - 25th May

    I hope you're not meaning to say Japanese police Grouchy, because that would be quite a low thing to say. There's never been an instance where any adult attempted to sell a baby online in Japan, even those who often criticize Japanese parenting would know better than to make such accusations. And even if such thing happened, any police force in the world regardless of country would act. Period.

  • sdf_crew_member at 10:45 AM JST - 25th May

    Most likely overzealous police overreacted - the plain talk with the extravagant and too proud parents would work.

  • Triumvere at 01:09 PM JST - 25th May

    Obviously a joke, but there are some jokes you shouldn't make; like joking about haveing a bomb at the airport.

  • Nessie at 03:00 PM JST - 25th May

    All deals are final. No returns, refunds or exchanges. While supplies last.

  • SuperLib at 03:40 PM JST - 26th May

    and can be used either in a baby carrier or a stroller

    heh....seems pretty funny to me. Obviously if there is evidence of abuse then the baby should be taken away, but one joke listing on eBay shouldn't be the deciding factor.

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