19-year-old Autumn Braden was babysitting her cousin's 2-year-old in May when she decided to list the child for sale on eBay for $1000.  She said it was a joke, but was charged with attempted false pretenses between $1,000 and $20,000.  Those charges were dropped today.

Braden will be entered into a diversion program, which is similar to probation.  If she completes the program successfully, her record will remain clean.  The charges Braden faced could have gotten her up to 2.5 years in prison.

Kent County Prosecutor William A. Forsyth explains why the charges were dropped:

During my career, I have witnessed many otherwise good young people make bad
choices that have had regrettable and unintended consequences.  Because I believe Ms. Braden falls into this category, I have tried to convey to her that there are consequences for her behavior. At the same time, however, I am satisfied with the resolution of the case because it hopefully teaches her a valuable lesson while affording her the opportunity to avoid a criminal conviction and keep her record clean.

Forsyth seems satisfied that there was no intent to sell the child or scam anyone out of money.  Still, it was important to follow up and treat this case seriously.

 

 

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