Tenn. man tried to sell 6-year-old daughter to get $1,500 for girlfriend's bail, police say
(CBS) KINGSPORT, Tenn. - Shawn Wayne Hughes, a 32-year-old Kingsport, Tenn. man, was arrested for allegedly agreeing to sell his 6-year-old daughter in order to get bail money for his girlfriend, the Kingsport Timesnews reports.
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Hughes was arrested Wednesday afternoon and charged with illegal payments in connection with placement of a child and two counts of possession of drugs, according to the paper.
Hughes' girlfriend, 27-year-old Jessica April Carey, was arrested on March 21 on a charge of child abuse and neglect, the paper reports.
It was reportedly Carey's grandmother who called police on Wednesday to report Hughes was trying to guilt her into giving him money to bail Carey out of jail.
According to the paper, the grandmother let police listen in on her phone call with Hughes and in that call he reportedly offered to sell his 6-year-old child to her in exchange for the bail money.
Hughes allegedly agreed to sign over legal custody of the girl if she gave him $1,500.
Police directed the grandmother to agree to the deal and set up a meeting place, the paper reports. When Hughes went to meet the grandmother, the police were there and arrested him.
The paper reports that Hughes was booked into the Kingsport City Jail with his bond set at $16,000. As of Thursday afternoon, Carey reportedly remained jailed.
The Department of Childrens Services was notified of the incident.
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