HOUSTON, Texas — A 21-year-old Texas woman is behind bars and accused of trying to sell her newborn baby on Facebook.

Juniper Bryson, 21, of Houston is being held in the Harris County Jail on $30,000 bail.

Court records said he posted on Sept. 22 in a Facebook group called “Seeking Adoptive Parent(s)” saying he was in Houston but was willing to travel.

The day before, she reached out to a family member from out of state and asked if they knew anyone who wanted to adopt. During the meeting, Bryson stated that the child would be drug positive, according to court records.

The family member asked on Facebook if anyone she knew would be interested in adopting the baby.

“She is there during the birth and needs someone to take the baby boy home. She doesn’t want him to go into foster care,” the post said. it said.

During a later conversation, Bryson explained to the family member that he wanted payment for the baby.

“It’s not even like that, I just have to work a job and move into an apartment so I can get (my daughter) back, or have a cheap down payment or get a car on DoorDash to drive to different places. It’s nothing crazy at all,” the message goes on record. It was read accordingly.

Investigators found that in the days that followed, Bryson met with at least seven different people about her child’s adoption.

Some of the individuals said they were struggling with fertility.

“I’m interested. I’m 29, I have a good-paying job and a brick-and-mortar house,” one prospective parent said, according to court records. “Me and my fiancé want to start our own family, but this is not easy due to infertility. Please feel free to reach us.”

Another same-sex couple reached out to Bryson, records show, and they drove from Louisiana overnight on Sept. 22 to be with Bryson and the baby.

“Juniper sent him a picture of the meal he was trying to order, and he sent her a total of $25 via Apple Pay to complete the meal delivery,” charging documents state. “(The prospective parent) stated that 3.5 hours before their trip to Houston, he asked them to send him $150.”

According to records, Bryson blocked the intended parent’s number and then unblocked him, saying: “If the baby isn’t worth $200 to them, then fuck them all.”

The couple turned around and moved back to Louisiana.

Wendy Williams lives in Houston. She is one of many people who responded to the Facebook post.

When she learned Bryson had given birth on Sept. 23, she said, she sent an Uber to the hotel where she was staying to take her to the hospital and met her there.

The baby was born at 2 a.m. on September 24.

Williams, who is also adopted, said she was by Bryson’s side during labor for eight hours and remained in the hospital for a total of three days.

“I felt a real bond between a mother and baby,” Williams recalled. “I felt a connection, as if it were biologically mine.”

Court records show the baby tested positive for drugs after birth. Williams said he watched Bryson go drug-free in the hospital.

“I thought this was someone in a really bad situation,” Williams said. “The drugs had worn off and he just wanted to get better.”

Bryson allowed Williams and her husband to name the baby. Both parties signed legal documents giving them the authority to make legal decisions about the baby. The documents were notarized.

While still in the hospital, Bryson posted on Facebook saying he had found a home for the baby and tagged Williams.

“A lot of people started commenting some really nasty things,” Williams recalled. “‘How dare you sell this baby?’ Then he called me ‘How dare you take this baby?’ “They labeled it.”

Williams said he was confused because the payment was never discussed. He asked Bryson about it.

“‘Hey, what is this? You know a lot of people are sending me these screenshots. What’s going on?'” Williams said to Bryson. “Right then he asked the nurse to take me out of the room, which I did. “I accompanied him downstairs with the gifts my family brought to the hospital.”

Williams said he contacted CPS, who got police involved. Days after giving birth, Bryson was led out of the hospital in handcuffs with express consent.

Before leaving, Williams said Bryson had revoked custody of the child.

“I also think he felt betrayed,” Williams said. “He knew I was reporting him and that CPS was coming. That may have been a trigger for him.”

Williams, who said she was a licensed foster parent, attended the hearing in hopes of regaining custody of the baby, who was released from the hospital. He said the judge gave the baby to one of Bryson’s friends.

ABC13 asked the Texas Department of Family Services about Bryson, but they said they couldn’t comment on specific cases.

“In any case where a child enters the care of the state, family members or friends are first considered for placement,” a DFPS spokesperson said. he said. “Ultimately, the decision on where to place the child rests with the court.”

Williams does not lose hope that she can become the child’s mother again.

“This was heartbreaking, not only because we couldn’t save a baby, but because I thought his safety was absolutely paramount,” Williams said.