Mother tries to sell newborn for Dh10,000 in Abu Dhabi, court hears

A mother tried to sell her newborn daughter for Dh10,000, Abu Dhabi Criminal Court heard on Sunday.

ABU DHABI // A mother tried to sell her newborn daughter for Dh10,000, saying she could not afford to care for the child, Abu Dhabi Criminal Court heard on Sunday.

A woman she asked for help took her to her neighbours who, she said, could find a foster family for the baby, reported Aletihad, the Arabic-language newspaper of The National.

Two other people took the woman, mother and newborn from Dubai to Abu Dhabi, but did not know of the deal to sell the child, the court heard.

“When we reached Abu Dhabi, I met a lady in a hotel and she expressed her interest, and told me and the mother how much she loves children and gave us Dh10,000,” the woman said.

In court, she denied that she had said this to police, claiming she was only a mediator.

The neighbours and one of the people accused of taking them to Abu Dhabi denied driving them to the capital or playing any part in trying to sell the baby.

The hearing was postponed to November 7.