A Houston woman accused of attempting to sell her newborn on social media now faces an increased bond, set at $60,000 after her latest court appearance.
Juniper Bryson, 21, initially held on a $30,000 bond, appeared before the court, where prosecutors presented additional arguments regarding her alleged actions and the potential risk they say she posed to the community.
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Harris County prosecutor Ashlea Sheridan stated that the decision to raise Bryson’s bond was based on the nature of the case and the defendant’s potential flight risk due to connections outside Texas.
BACKGROUND: Houston mother accused of trying to sell newborn to highest bidder on Facebook
“After hearing the facts of the case as well as the safety concerns raised by myself, the judge decided that the bond was insufficient and raised the bond to $60,000,” she said.
Sheridan emphasized the gravity of the allegations.
“When we have an allegation like this, when a person is offering to sell their newborn child, that creates a great safety concern to the community as well as to that complainant themselves,” she said. “The nature of the offense itself I think she took into consideration, also some details about the defendant’s criminal history and possible ties outside of the state of Texas could possibly make her a flight risk,” she said. “All of those go into the decision whether to lower or raise her bond.”
Sheridan further noted the availability of safe and legal options for women in difficult situations, stating, “We know that some moms find themselves in difficult situations, maybe they don’t have the financial capabilities of taking care of their child or they are in a bad situation, but there is always another option. There are options at the hospital, there are resources that are available to them to safely and legally place their child up for adoption.”
The newborn is believed to be in CPS custody or under the care of a family member, Sheridan added.
Bryson’s defense attorney, Vic Vij, argued in court that Bryson has a history of trauma and abuse.
“We’re going to wait for all the facts to come out in court, but I do want to let you guys know immediately that Ms. Bryson has been the victim of human trafficking, of fruit, of compelling prostitution in multiple sources, two women who have been victimized for years. She just turned 21. She’s been brutalized most of her life. And I feel that she is being victimized again by the state,” Vij said.
Vij voiced additional concerns regarding Bryson’s mental health, saying, “I haven’t seen the Facebook records yet, but I am concerned about her mental health. I’m concerned about her ability to or her desire to remain on this planet as she is. She is distraught. She is devastated. She cannot imagine being away from her kids.”
In detailing Bryson’s background, Vij shared that she “was the victim of a compelling prostitution case out of the 184th District Court. That person is on deferred adjudication under this court. She’s been abused. She’s been assaulted. She’s been the victim of aggravated assault. Several people have abused her out of this court and other courts in Harris County. Several of those people have gone to prison. Some of those people are on probation. She’s been victimized for years.”
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Court documents state that the case began on Sept. 23 when authorities received reports of Bryson allegedly attempting to sell her baby.
In messages with an acquaintance on Sept. 21, Bryson reportedly shared that she could not keep the baby, adding that he would test positive for drugs. Shortly after, Bryson allegedly posted in a Facebook group looking for adoptive parents, where she expressed her willingness to travel if an arrangement could be made.
At the hospital, investigators allege she was “waiting for the highest bidder” to finalize the adoption arrangement.
Bryson’s next court appearance is scheduled for Jan. 15, 2025.