Florida mom tried to sell 5-year-old boy to couple for $2,000

A desperate Florida mom was locked up after she tried to hawk her 5-year-old son to some friends for $2,000 police said.

Jessica Marie Beers, 28, was nabbed by cops on Saturday after a couple she offered the child to dropped a dime on her to authorities, My Fox Tampa reported.

John Gardner, 58, told police he and his wife had met Beers at church, and they had occasionally babysat the boy and given the single mom food and money because she had fallgn on hard times, according to the website.

Earlier this week, she said they could keep him in exchange for $2,000

Pinellas County police said Beers admitted to attempting to sell her tot, but didn't say why.

Gardner said Beers was hooked on prescription pills.

The troubled mom faces charges sale of parental rights and probation violation.

The boy, whose name was not given, was with child protection
agents.