How often have we made lighthearted comments to friends or shared on social media about feeling overwhelmed by our kids? Phrases like, “Anyone want a kid? Free to a good home!” or jokes about selling them to a circus often slip out. I’ll admit, I may or may not have joked about rehoming my little one just this morning. Since my child turned three, I’ve likely thrown out the idea of selling them at least once a month. While most people understand the humor, what happens when someone goes too far?
Take the case of a 24-year-old woman from Noxubee County, Mississippi, who learned a tough lesson. Recently, she was arrested for allegedly attempting to sell her child on various online platforms. Jamonica Green reportedly made postings on multiple buy-sell-trade groups on Facebook, which prompted concerned individuals to notify law enforcement.
In her posts, she included a photo of her two-year-old daughter with the caption, “For Sale Do Anybody Wants To Buy Her Best Offer I Would Take” with an outrageous price tag of $123,456,789. While this figure might seem like an obvious joke—just a string of numbers—it raised eyebrows due to the volume of similar posts across different sites. Supporters of Ms. Green argue that she only shared the listings on pages where family would see them, but I’m not sure that helps her case.
Noxubee County Sheriff Mark Thompson stated, “It’s not funny. It’s appalling to make such a post. There’s no way you can do that and not attract attention. I received calls from nearly every sheriff’s department nearby and even the highway patrol.” The community’s response was mixed; some defended her as merely joking, while others were concerned, pointing to the serious issue of child trafficking.
Ultimately, regardless of Ms. Green’s intentions, she was charged with the sale of a minor, and her daughter was placed in the custody of the Department of Human Services. That’s one harsh punchline to a misguided joke. Law enforcement had to prioritize the child’s safety, especially considering the alarming rise in human trafficking cases nationwide.
So, here’s a heads-up for all you parents who find humor in your children’s antics on social media. As summer approaches and the kiddos reach those “OMG, take them away!” levels of mischief, be mindful of your audience and be clear in your messaging. Jokes can easily be misinterpreted, resulting in serious consequences.
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In summary, while humor is a great coping mechanism for parenting, it’s crucial to be cautious about how our words might be perceived. What you intend as a light-hearted joke could quickly spiral into a serious situation.