Cops: Grandma Tried to Sell Baby for $75K

Nov. 6, 2010— -- A Holly Hill, Fla., grandmother who is accused of trying to sell her 8-week-old grandson was held on $100,000 bond today.

Patty Bigbee, 45, who was arrested Friday afternoon, allegedly approached someone in October and offered to sell the baby boy for $75,000. That person contacted police about the alleged offer and acted as a confidential informant.

According to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Bigbee and the would-be buyer haggled over the price and finally agreed on $30,000.

The two met Friday afternoon in Daytona Beach to complete the transaction, according to the FDLE.

After the child and money changed hands in a parking lot near the Daytona Speedway, police arrested the woman.

Bigbee was charged with illegal sale or surrender of a child and communication fraud.

ABC affiliate WFTV in Orlando tried to get a comment from Bigbee as she was taken to the Volusia County Jail Friday night, but she didn't answer questions.

Bigbee's 42-year-old boyfriend, Lawrence Works, was also arrested and charged with being a principal to the illegal sale or surrender of a child. He made his first appearance this morning and his bond was set at $50,000.

The baby boy was put into the care of the state Department of Children and Families. The boy's mother, Stephannie Bigbee-Davis, is in jail on unrelated charges.

"When you look at this where the grandmother was willing to sell her owngrandchild obviously to some degree for profit, it's appalling," FDLE Special Agent Wayne Ivey said.

Sources told WFTV that investigators believe Bigbee has been involved before in transactions involving children and in extortion plots.

"Couldn't believe it," said Sandra Wells, one of Bigbee's neighbors. "I thought they must be in some kind of trouble and that's why they had to get rid of the baby and they couldn't keep it."

FDLE detectives said the investigation is ongoing.