A classified ad that offered a free baby boy on the Craigslist website was under investigation by police on Friday, although the posting was believed to be a hoax.
The ad was posted to the ”free stuff” section of the site early on Thursday alongside offers for free turkey dinners, a set of crutches and an electric stove.
The writer, who said he was in San Diego, claimed that his ex-girlfriend had the baby a few weeks ago. ”Now he just sits in my closet and cries,” the ad stated. ”I’m not too sure how to deal with it.”
The posting added: ”Batteries not included. Transaction final. No returns.”
Craigslist removed the ad shortly after it appeared.
”This is most probably a hoax,” site founder Craig Newmark said in an e-mail to The Associated Press on Friday.
San Diego police said the matter was referred to investigators in the child-abuse unit and another department that investigates internet crimes against children.
”We’re taking it seriously because we don’t know,” said police spokesperson Monica Munoz. ”Until we determine whether it’s a hoax or not we won’t let it go.” — Sapa-AP