Police: Jerusalem man tries to sell his baby for 100,000 shekels

Under questioning the suspect denied actually wanting to sell the baby, and claimed that he was merely in need of money to cover his gambling debts.

DECEMBER 24, 2015 15:37

Updated: DECEMBER 27, 2015 06:34

Newborn baby [Illustrative] (photo credit: INIMAGE) — Newborn baby [Illustrative]

(photo credit: INIMAGE)

A Jerusalem man beset by gambling debts tried to sell his infant daughter to an undercover cop, the Jerusalem District Police said.

The undercover agent met with the suspect several times, who offered to sell him his three-month-old daughter in exchange for NIS 100,000. An investigation was opened after police received a tip about the father and his alleged intentions, and the undercover agent reached out to the father, police said on Thursday.

During their subsequent meetings, the father also allegedly tried to pressure the police officer to make the deal, saying that he was already entertaining offers from other interested families.

Police added that investigators were able to determine that there were no other interested buyers, and the claim was merely intended to expedite the sale.

The undercover agent met on Wednesday with the suspect, who arranged the meeting to receive a deposit for the sale, police said. After handing the baby over to the officer, the father was immediately arrested, as was his 27-year-old wife shortly thereafter.

Under questioning, the suspect denied actually wanting to sell the baby. He claimed that he was merely in need of money to cover his gambling debts and was looking to receive a small amount initially from the buyer, without actually giving away the infant.

The baby was handed over to social workers in Jerusalem, and the father was ordered kept in custody for seven days.

The mother was released to house arrest.