A new mom is in hot water after selling her newborn son for $15,000 so she could take her other two sons on a trip to Disney World, according to court documents.
Bridget Wismer, 33, was arrested at her home in New Castle, Del. after she and the alleged baby buyer, John Gavaghan, 54, of Philadelphia, were caught on a surveillance camera taking care of the last bit of paperwork, according to New Castle County detectives.
The baby boy was born on Aug. 31 and according to court papers, Wismer didn't want the child.
In early September, detectives were tipped off by Wismer's grandmother, according to police. They investigated, but couldn't substantiate the baby-selling accusation. In late September, police got another tip that led them to the place where Wismer and Gavaghan met to finalize the deal.
On Sept. 30, two days after Gavaghan had allegedly taken the 1-month-old boy home, police arrested Gavaghan at his Philadelphia apartment and placed the baby in foster care. Wismer was arrested that same day at her home.
Neighbors were stunned.
"I mean how can you do that," said Iris Phillips. "Instead of selling, she should have given the baby to her sister of someone."
Wismer held back tears Tuesday as she tried to explain what happened.
"My friend was helping me take care of my son that I just had," Wismer said. "He’s always tried to adopt and I couldn’t raise another child.
"I wanted the best for my baby and he wanted the best for the baby and we did it the way we thought we were supposed to."
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Wismer and Gavaghan are both charged with Dealing in Children and Conspiracy in the Second Degree.
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