An Alabama woman was arrested in Arkansas after allegedly trying to sell her baby.
The investigation began when the Washington County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO) received a tip from Booth’s sister-in-law. According to the report, Booth had a baby in November 2024, which was taken to Elkins and given to a 43-year-old woman. The sister-in-law believed the baby was sold, and when she and Booth attempted to retrieve the child, the woman reportedly refused to return the baby.
Booth and her sister-in-law told deputies that Booth had signed a guardianship agreement, which was notarized but not signed by a judge. The investigating deputy spoke with the woman, who claimed Booth brought the baby to her around December 20 and signed documents transferring custody with the involvement of a lawyer. However, the deputy determined that the paperwork was not legally sufficient for custody since it lacked judicial approval.
The deputy contacted the Department of Human Services (DHS) to report that the woman did not have custody, warning that allowing the woman to keep the child would be akin to enabling a kidnapping. Despite this, DHS decided to leave the child with the woman.
The sister-in-law also told authorities that after Booth returned from Arkansas, she seemed to have extra money and had been buying items like clothing. Booth reportedly told her sister-in-law that money had been offered for the child. The sister-in-law said that Booth had no prior connection to the woman in Elkins.
Booth was later interviewed by deputies, who said she initially denied accepting money. However, she eventually admitted to receiving $50 and several off-brand clothing items in exchange for the child. Booth explained that she believed the guardianship arrangement with the woman was temporary.
A guardianship case was opened in Washington County on February 24, with the Elkins woman and her husband requesting emergency guardianship, both temporarily and permanently. However, Booth’s brother and sister-in-law filed to intervene on February 26, arguing that they would be better suited to care for the child.
A hearing regarding the guardianship is scheduled for March 5, and Booth is set to appear in Washington County court on March 19.
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