Man Arrested for Listing Baby for Sale on Craigslist

Salem Police say that there is no indication that any infants were in danger in this incident.

Salem-News.com

(SALEM, Ore.) - Salem Police say they arrested a 33-year old Dallas man late this afternoon for placing a false advertisement on Craig's List to sell an infant.

Salem Police Lt. Dave Okada says they were contacted on March 24th regarding an advertisement that somebody had seen on Craig's List advertising an infant for sale. The listing gave a name for interested parties to contact for further information.

Okada says Salem Police Detective Mark Williamson coordinated efforts with other law enforcement agencies and was able to determine that the name provided on the advertisement is a true person, but that person was not involved in the ad.

Further investigation led Detective Williamson to contact and ultimately arrest Patrick Lee Ryan on charges of Buying Or Selling a Child, Disorderly Conduct in the First Degree and Computer Crime. He was transported to the Polk County Jail and booked on $35,000 bail.

It is the policy of the Salem Police Department to not comment on motives or statements made by suspects in crimes pending prosecution, but there is no indication that any infants were in danger in this incident.

Okada says the photo of the infant was obtained by the suspect off the internet, and he does not have any infant children of his own.