An Oskaloosa woman has been arrested after she was accuse2 d of attempting to sell her child for $10,000 in August 2025.
Tiffany Smith, 33, is charged with the purchase or sale of an individual after attempting to sell her month-old infant in August 2025, according to Iowa court filings.
Smith allegedly willingly gave her child to a family member of the potential buyer, and 2½ hours later demanded a $10,000 payment or the return of her child, according to the criminal complaint. The child was returned to Smith.
The potential buyer showed text messages between with Smith that discussed exchanging the child for money. In the texts, Smith was aware the sale of her child would be illegal, according to the complaint.
During the Department of Human Services’ emergency removal of the child from Smith’s care she allegedly told officers she “needed financial help,” according to the complaint.
Smith is being held on a $10,000 bond at the Mahaska County Jail with a preliminary hearing scheduled for Feb. 2.
Kyle Werner is the breaking news and public safety reporter for the Register. Reach him at kwerner@registermedia.com
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Iowa woman accused of trying to sell her infant for $10,000
Reporting by Kyle Werner, Des Moines Register / Des Moines Register
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