08.01.2026 15:53
A mother and her partner, who are alleged to have sold their newborn baby, were arrested by the police in Mykolaiv, Ukraine. The couple reportedly handed over the baby for about 10 thousand dollars and were caught in the act shortly thereafter. In footage shared by the police, security personnel can be seen counting the money given for the sale of the baby.
The incident in Ukraine has sparked a significant public outcry. A mother and her partner, who are alleged to have attempted to sell their newborn baby just one day after birth, were arrested by the police.
The event took place in the city of Mykolaiv in the south of the country. According to officials, the 21-year-old woman and her 38-year-old husband handed over their newborn baby to someone for approximately 10,000 dollars (about 7,500 pounds). Immediately after the delivery, police teams acted and caught the couple in the act.
In footage shared by the police, the suspects can be seen handcuffed and taken into custody, while security personnel are counting the money given for the sale of the baby. At the end of the footage, the newborn baby is seen being safely held in the arms of a state official.
As part of the investigation, it was revealed that the couple had started looking for a buyer even in the last weeks of the mother's pregnancy. It was even stated that an agreement was reached regarding the sale before the baby's birth. It was also learned that the buyer paid a deposit before the birth.
Officials stated that the police teams have been monitoring the situation from the beginning and that the suspects had been under surveillance for some time. The final delivery took place on January 2, just one day after the baby's birth.
The couple was arrested under severe provisions of the Ukrainian Penal Code that cover human trafficking offenses. The court decided that the suspects would be held in custody pending trial. Those convicted of this crime could face long prison sentences and the confiscation of their assets.
Officials announced that the baby is currently under state protection. No official information has yet been shared regarding the baby's health status.