Stephanie Bigbee Fleming: Police Arrest Mom for Role in Attempted Sale of 2-Month-Old

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (CBS/AP) A Florida woman knew about her mother's attempt to sell the woman's infant son, and wanted some of the money to pay for a new car, authorities said.

According to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE), Stephanie Bigbee Fleming was charged Tuesday with being a principal to the illegal sale or surrender of a child, and is being held at the Manatee County Jail on $50,000 bond.

Fleming and her mother, 45-year-old Patty Bigbee, had allegedly agreed on a price for the 8-week-old and were going to split the proceeds.

The Bradenton mother was hoping to use her cut from the sale of her son to buy a car and pay court costs and fines in another criminal case, authorities told The Palm Beach Post.

Patty Bigbee, who was arrested last week and charged with the illegal sale or surrender of a child and communication fraud, was caught by Florida Dept. of Law Enforcement agents who had received a tip that the grandmother was attempting to sell the child.

Agents said Bigbee met with a couple and originally planned to sell the infant for $75,000, but was negotiated down to $30,000.

Bigbee is being held at the Volusia County Jail along with her boyfriend, 42-year-old Lawrence Works.

FDLE spokeswoman Susie Murphy said Works, who was also charged with the illegal sale or surrender of a child, aided the transfer by placing the child's belongings into the car he thought belonged to the woman buying the child.

The tip came from Bigbee's biological daughter, Danielle Skiver, 27, whom she had given up for adoption 26 years ago and had recently reconnected with on Facebook.

During one of their conversations, Skiver mentioned she wanted a baby and Bigbee offered up her grandson for sale. Skiver then alerted authorities, Murphy said.

The baby, who is now 11 weeks old, is in the custody of the state Department of Children and Families.

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