Mom Accused Of Selling Girl

A woman was arrested on suspicion of trying to sell her 8-year-old adopted Russian daughter for $4,000 through E-mail, authorities said Monday.

Denise K. Thomas was released after her arrest Friday for investigation for criminal attempted trafficking in children, authorities said.

Â"What she was really trying to do was set up a private adoption to avoid the bureaucracy and regulations required around that issue. But yes, the bottom line was she was trying to sell the child,Â" said Undersheriff Grayson Robinson.

Thomas, 42, who is married and lives with her husband and biological 14-year-old son, denied the charge.

Â"I had no intention of selling a child or anything like that,Â" Mrs. Thomas said in an interview with KWGN-TV on Monday.

Â"For whatever reason they've blown this thing way out of proportion, not even bothered to interview us.Â"

The girl had not been abused, Robinson said. She was placed in a foster home.

The proposed sale was uncovered Friday when sheriff's deputies were contacted by a Texas couple who said they had received an E-mail from a woman offering to sell the girl in a Â"private adoption.Â"