A Texas woman who placed a Craigslist ad offering up her 3-year-old son for adoption earlier this month told police she was off her anxiety medication when she wrote the post and signed it "Desperate."
Stephanie Christine Redus, 29, posted on the online classifieds site May 1.
"Hi. I'm trying to adopt out my 3yr old son. I'm not in a good place in my life and don't feel like I can care for him properly but I don't know where to start. If you or know anyone who is interested in caring for him please let me know. I'm a single mom and can't do this. Thanks, Desperate."
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Houston police stumbled across the posting and issued a subpoena to Craigslist to get the name of the person who posted the ad. Once they identified Redus, she was arrested and charged with advertising for placement of a child, a misdemeanor.
In a recorded interview, Redus admitted to posting the notice but said she never intended to give up her son Conner. She initially claimed she only responded to one interested person and asked them for photos of their home and if they had any other children.
But she later confessed to having spoken to several people about giving up her son. Redus claims the ad was an outlet for her anxiety and said she had not been able to take her anxiety and depression medication because she is pregnant.
The child has been placed with his father and Redus is being held on $1,000 bail.
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Neighbors in Huffman, Texas, were shocked to hear what Redus had done.
"Blessings from God are always a privilege, not to be put on Craigslist," neighbor Peg Kirby told KHOU.com. "Honey, I think you need to talk to the Lord before making a decision like that."
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