HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — A 21-year-old woman is behind bars accused of trying to sell her newborn baby on Facebook.

Juniper Bryson, 21, is being held on $30,000 bail in the Harris County Jail.

Court records say she posted a message in a Facebook group called “Birth Mothers Looking for Adoptive Parent(s)” on Sept. 22, saying she was in Houston but was willing to travel.

The day before, she contacted a family member out of state to ask if they knew anyone looking to adopt. During the conversation, according to court records, Bryson indicated that the child was believed to be a drug addict.

The family member posted on Facebook asking if anyone she knew was interested in adopting the baby.

“She needs someone during labor and to take the little boy home. She doesn’t want him to be placed in foster care,” the message said.

During a later conversation, Bryson revealed to the family member that she wanted to be paid for the baby.

“It’s not even like that, just enough to move into an apartment so I can work and pick up (my daughter), or a cheap down payment, or any car to get me to different places all the way to DoorDash. Nothing crazy at all,” the message read, according to records.

In the days that followed, Bryson spoke with at least seven different people about adopting her child, investigators found.

Some people have reported having fertility problems.

“I’m interested. I’m 29, I have a good paying job and a brick house,” one of the intended parents said, according to court records. “My fiancé and I (want) to start our own family, but because of infertility, it’s not easy. Please don’t hesitate to contact us.”

Another same-sex couple contacted Bryson, records show, and drove from Louisiana during the night of Sept. 22 to be with Bryson and the baby.

“Juniper sent her a photo of the food she was trying to order, and he sent her money, a total of $25 via Apple Pay, to complete the food delivery,” the documents state. charge. “(The expectant parent) stated that 3.5 hours into their trip to Houston, she asked them to send her $150.”

Bryson blocked the expectant parent’s number, then unblocked it, records show, and said, “If the baby wasn’t worth $200 to them, then screw it.”

The couple turned around and returned to Louisiana.

Wendy Williams lives in Houston. She was one of many people who responded to the Facebook post.

When she learned Bryson was in labor on September 23, she said she sent an Uber to the hotel where she was staying to take her to the hospital and met her there.

The baby was born on September 24 at 2 a.m.

Williams, who was adopted herself, said she was with Bryson for eight hours in labor and was in the hospital for a total of three days.

“I felt a real connection between a mother and a baby,” Williams recalls. “I felt a connection like he was biologically mine.”

Court records show the baby tested positive for drugs after birth. Williams said she saw Bryson suffering from drug withdrawal in the hospital.

“I just thought he was someone who was in a really bad position,” Williams said. “The medication had taken over and she just wanted to get better.”

Bryson allowed Williams and her husband to name the baby. Both parties also signed legal documents that give them the ability to make legal decisions regarding the baby. The documents have been notarized.

While still in the hospital, Bryson posted on Facebook saying she had found a home for the baby and tagged Williams, she said.

“A lot of people started commenting on really, really ugly things,” Williams recalls. “‘How dare you sell this baby?’ And then they tagged me: “How dare you buy this baby?”

Williams said she was confused because the payment was never discussed. She asked Bryson about it.

“‘Hey, what is this? You know a lot of people are sending me these screenshots. What’s going on?'” Williams told Bryson. “At that very moment, she asked the nurse to take me out of the room, which I did. I was escorted downstairs with gifts that my family had brought to the hospital.”

Williams said she contacted CPS, which got the police involved. Bryson was escorted from the hospital in handcuffs on an open arrest warrant days after she gave birth.

Before leaving, Williams said Bryson had revoked custody of the child from her.

“I also think she felt betrayed,” Williams said. “She knew I had reported her and that the CPS was coming. That may have been a trigger for her.”

Williams, who says she is a licensed foster mother, attended a court hearing for the baby when he was released from the hospital in hopes of regaining custody. She said a judge gave the baby to one of Bryson’s friends.

ABC13 asked the Texas Department of Family Services about Bryson, but they said they could not comment on specific cases.

“In each case where a child is in state care, family members or friends are considered first for placement,” a DFPS spokesperson said. “Ultimately, the decision as to where the child should be placed rests with the court.”

Williams does not lose hope that she will be able to become the child’s mother again.

“It was very heartbreaking, not just because we didn’t get a baby out, but because I think her safety comes first,” Williams said.

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