Crime

"Baby giveaway" prank on Craigslist not funny to Miss. police, teen in trouble

By Barry Leibowitz

March 1, 2012 / 8:33 AM EST / CBS News

Police were not amused when a Mississippi teen advertised a "free baby" on Craigslist AP

(CBS/AP) CLINTON, Miss. - Charges are pending against a Jackson area teen for advertising a free baby on Craigslist, and using a friend's cell phone number as the contact, in what the teen thought was a pretty funny prank.

Police did not.

Clinton, Miss. Police Chief Don Byington would not identify the youths involved, but told The Clarion-Ledger the posting was "a bad practical joke."

Byington says the 18-year-old student at Clinton High took a photo of an unknown baby boy and placed the ad on Craigslist to give away the baby. He says police interviewed the student Monday.

Prosecutors say the teen who posted the information can be prosecuted under state law that makes it a felony to use electronic media "for the purpose of causing injury to another person."