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Police: Delaware Mom Agreed To Sell Newborn To Philadelphia Man

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – A Delaware mother, along with a Philadelphia man, are facing charges after investigators allege the two agreed to the sale and purchase of the woman's newborn son.

"I didn't want to give my baby away," said 33-year-old Bridget Wismer of Brookside Park, New Castle County Delaware.

Wismer, charged with selling her newborn for $15,000, said she did nothing wrong.

According to her, she had an agreement with friend, John Gavaghan, who wanted to help Wismer raise her son, Christian.

"He told me he would help out," explained Wismer. "Whenever I needed something for the baby, I would call him. There was no organized thing."

Wismer said she is already raising two children. She doesn't have a job and she lives at home with her mother. Gavaghan doesn't have any children but wanted one.

"He was with him (referring to the baby) at night, because he comes down for the races, he races horses in Delaware," said Wismer. "We were doing this together."

New Castle County Police paint a different picture.

"You can't sell a baby in Delaware," said Cpl. John Welgarz with the New Castle County Police. "There are different ways you go about it, if you don't want your child."

For the last month county detectives had been investigating Wismer. Police say her family members told authorities that Wismer was planning to sell her child. Police had been keeping a close eye on Wismer and Gavaghan. Investigators say, last week surveillance cameras at Delaware park where Gavaghan races horses, shows him signing an agreement to purchase baby Christian.

After detectives conducted separate interviews involving both suspects, they were able to confirm that Gavaghan and Wismer were involved with one another in the sale and purchase of the newborn.

The newborn is currently in foster care.

Both Wismer and Gavaghan have been charged with Dealing in Children and Conspiracy in the Second Degree.

Wismer was arraigned and released after posting $750 secured bail for the charges and $1500 secured bond and $75 cash bail for outstanding capiases.

Gavaghan was arraigned and released on $7,000 unsecured bond.

Reported by Jericka Duncan, CBS 3

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