Juniper Bryson, a 21-year-old Texas woman, was taken into custody after allegedly posting on Facebook to sell her newborn baby to the highest bidder.
Bryson was booked into jail on Wednesday, Oct. 30, and is being held in Harris County Jail with a bond of $30,000
Troubles of Juniper Bryson
Bryson was facing financial problems along with dealing with drug abuse
She also reached her family members in September 2024 where she revealed her inability to care for her newborn baby
Bryson also stated that the baby would likely test positive for drugs as per her situation
Her need for money to secure housing, find employment, and possibly regain custody of her older daughter was noticeable
Her plea was not just for adoption, it was a request for financial compensation too.
Bryson mentioned needing money “just enough to move into an apartment so I can work a job and get my daughter back, or a cheap down payment or, any car to get to different places to DoorDash. Nothing crazy at all.”
Facebook Post
On Sept 22, Bryson posted in a Facebook group headed “Birth Mothers looking for Adoptive Parents” which indicated her willingness to adoption
Bryson presented herself as she was seeking a home for her child but her private messages revealed her intentions
She was willing to negotiate the adoption for financial support in return
Responses from Adoptive Families
Few adoptive families responded to her post unaware of her demands
Investigators found that Bryson had conversed with at least seven different people regarding the adoption of her newborn
Among them was a same-sex couple from Louisiana who drove overnight to meet Bryson in Houston
Bryson asked them for $25 for food which they provided. However, her demands escalated when she requested them for $150. The couple felt frustrated and deceived and decided to return home.
“If the baby wasn’t worth $200 to them, then screw all,” Bryson stated as per court records.
Involvement of Wendy Williams
Wendy Williams, a local Houston woman who befriended Bryson through post helped her in time of her pregnancy
The situation became critical on September 23 when Bryson went into labor
Williams arranged an Uber to take Bryson to the Hospital
Williams was interested in adopting the baby and accompanied Bryson through the labor, even spending the days in the Hospital.
Even during labor, Bryson continued interacting with multiple parents, negotiating for the best financial offer
Documents from the court described Bryson’s behavior as “waiting for the highest bidder.” Witnesses including Williams stated that Bryson was going from drug symptoms which added to the chaos
The baby was born on September 24 and tested positive for drugs shortly after birth
Williams had bonded deeply with Bryson and the newborn baby, going as far as to sign legal documents and giving her temporary decision-making rights for the child
Bryson allowed Williams and her husband to name the baby which seemed like a genuine intent to adoption
Chaos at the Hospital
Bryson also posted on Facebook while still in the hospital stating she had found a family for the baby and tagged Williams in the post
This post attracted negative attention with people accusing Bryson of attempting to sell the baby and tagging Williams as a buyer
Williams was confused and confronted Bryson about the allegations and asked “Hey, what is this? You know a lot of people are sending me these screenshots. What is going on?”
Bryson requested the hospital nurse to escort Williams out of the room in response which ended their involvement
Williams took the gifts that her family had brought for the baby and left the Hospital. She also reported the situation to Child Protective Services (CPS) in fear of the child’s safety
Revoking of Temporary Custody of the newborn
The involvement of CPS led to an investigation escalating the matter and Bryson was taken into custody days after giving birth
Bryson revoked Williams temporary custody of the child before her arrest which is seen as retaliation for reporting her to the authorities
“I also do think that she felt betrayed as well; She knew I reported her and that CPS was coming. That may have been a trigger for her.” Williams stated regarding the revoking of temporary custody.
Bryson was escorted out of the Hospital and now faces legal charges for attempting to sell a child, a felony offense that carries a significant prison sentence
Bryson is currently being held in Harris County Jail with a bond of $30,000
Documents from the court expressed her financial desperation and her attempts to justify the need for money as a medium to secure basic needs like housing and transportation
As court decision is pending, Bryson’s child was placed in temporary custody with a family friend
Williams also attended the custody in hope of adopting the child but wasn’t granted guardianship
Following Texas laws that favor placement with family members or close friends, Judges decided to place the baby with one of Bryson’s acquaintance
Williams expressed her heartbreak over the decision “It was very heartbreaking, not just because we didn’t get a baby out of this, but because his safety is definitely above all.”
Bryson’s legal battle is expected to be a lengthy process, with her defense team stating that she was acting out of desperation rather than malicious intent
Her lawyer has suggested using her financial instability and drug issues as arguing grounds to reduce her sentence
Williams continued to follow the case in the hope that the child would end up in a safe and loving home stating, “All I want is what’s best for him, I felt a connection and I still hope he finds three families he deserves
