Mom accused of trying to sell baby for drugs

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By Navideh Forghani nforghani@nbcaugusta.com

Story Published: Sep 9, 2008 at 9:57 AM EST

Story Updated: Sep 12, 2008 at 11:39 AM EST

AUGUSTA, Ga. - A mother is in the Richmond County jail accused of trying to sell her baby.

Investigators say Amanda Johnson and Michael Jenkins, the father of the seven-month-old baby, were trying to use the child as a loan to support their drug addiction.

"People loan their cars out for crack or jewelry to local drug dealers. But you never want to think someone would loan out a human being to support their drug habit," said Inv. Kendall Brown, Richmond County Sheriff’s Office.

Witnesses say the baby’s parents and a drug dealer were smoking crack cocaine on Friday night at the Augusta Lodge while the baby was in the room.

Deputies say witnesses overheard Johnson and her boyfriend making a deal with the drug dealer.

"They were both part of the deal. They were willing to let their child go with a complete stranger for an unknown amount of crack cocaine,” said Brown.

A deal investigators say has serious consequences.

Johnson is charged with one count of cruelty to a child and reckless conduct. Her seven-month-old is in state custody.

Investigators are still looking for the baby's father, Michael Jenkins, and the drug dealer. Anyone with information is asked to call the Richmond County Sheriff's Office at (706) 821-1080.

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Thursday, Nov 6 at 2:48 PM ANNONYMOUS wrote ...

When will we know anymore about thi case ? I really wanna know how things are going but all I see is the same old crap...What is it all hushed now ?

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Saturday, Oct 18 at 3:00 AM Annonymous wrote ...

Can someone please tell me when this case will be updated?

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Tuesday, Sep 16 at 11:17 AM Annonymous wrote ...

I have a question hopefully sum1 will answer .. Where was the baby when the mother got arrested ?

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Tuesday, Sep 16 at 9:19 AM Annonymous wrote ...

Mr.Jenkins I don't believe could ever trade a child for drugs,he has always work with young children & has always loved 2 see children happy.His main thing in life was 2 have a child of his own...Not 2 pass judgement but I believe the mother is the one who has the worst addiction ..Look this is her second child she has lost due 2 drug addiction..She dont deserve 2 be able 2 have anymore GET HER FIXED..Besides Hear say is there any true evidence 2 this case ?has the drug dealer been found ?

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Tuesday, Sep 16 at 12:54 AM Some-One Who Is Very Concerned wrote ...

James Mohr says its sad there is little support for people like this .. But there are plenty of programs 2 help its just that these people have 2 want the help & really wanna change but like I stated b4 Amanda has gotten help b4 but did it help ? as for Michael has never gotten help 4 his addiction but thats becuz he didnt want to.. Its not that theres no help its becuz they dont wanna change..My Opinion is Amanda Loves Michael & will do anything for him so she doesnt lose him..

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Tuesday, Sep 16 at 12:15 AM Some-One Who Is Very Concerned wrote ...

A true fact is that Amanda was for warned about her boyfriends habit ... She also has another child she doesn't have custody of due 2 drug related problems her mom & step father have her first child ,she got help with her problem b4 so what makes people think that getting help is gonna change her this time ? I feel if Mr Jenkins isnt the babies father the biological dad should have the child instead of strangers... I so hope the child is doing fine and that he is tested and DRUG FREE...

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Monday, Sep 15 at 3:55 AM Tired of Excuses wrote ...

Why should we feel sorry for this woman? She chose to get on drugs.She chose to have children.In this day and age there are no excuses to get pregnant unless you can afford to.We have free birth control at area Health Departments, condoms are available at any drugstore,planned parenthood is available, there are substance abuse centers in our area to help. She chose this way of life. Quit blaming others.Quit making excuses. Grow up, be responsible for your actions.

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Saturday, Sep 13 at 8:39 AM Anonymous wrote ...

The father of the baby showed up to visit Amanda in jail and they did arrest him...I dont know why the news doesn't know but that happened wednesday or thursday evening...

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Friday, Sep 12 at 4:18 PM Christi wrote ...

While it is true that what has happened is a horrible crime.Let us not all pass judgment. Those of you who do not understand what addiction is cannot understand her predicament. People who are addicted to drugs especailly crack do not have control over their own actions if they did they wouldn't be addicted. they are drug impaired and not in control of the things they do, they live for the next high. I hope that this child is with family and is safe now. My prayers are with them.

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Friday, Sep 12 at 2:53 AM Haha wrote ...

Quality, and why the hell would a crack dealer even want some crackheads baby, that is just a bad deal for him.

6897489 Inappropriate? Alert Us!

Thursday, Sep 11 at 11:50 PM Amazed at your inaction. wrote ...

families who don't acknowledge the problems of addiction and FIRST keep innocent children safe, are just as GUILTY of harmful neglect. As a grandparent, YOU have the right to call in child services to PROTECT that child and NOT ENABLE the drug habits of the mother by not contacting the law.

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Wednesday, Sep 10 at 10:02 PM some one who know amanda wrote ...

why didn't you come and get this baby two ago when someone call you from hickory,north carolina and told you your daughter was a crack and was smoking at the hotel when she came and visit her at the hotel .now it poor old amanda .what about this baby.and the baby real father that on the road.you should see if he even knews about you taking his baby.

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Wednesday, Sep 10 at 9:23 PM some one who knows amanda wrote ...

your daughter came and send you a couple of months ago why?? didn't you keepthe baby than??you knew she sold the strooler/carseat you got for her.and the night she was out walkinh the street with him when he was weeks old.

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Wednesday, Sep 10 at 6:28 PM Greg wrote ...

No one found what Lu said to be funny? We should kill these people because life is precious?

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Wednesday, Sep 10 at 12:30 PM ??what a sad world?? wrote ...

I would like to know mr greg johnson, how did you not know your daughter was addicted to crack all the while with a child??? I work with people who have addictions and there are CLEAR signs and by looking at her picture you can see something wasn't right with her. Her actions of smoking crack with the child in the room were not "foolish" as you put them, they are reckless and a danger to the baby's well being. No mother who truely loved her baby would do that, unless she loved drugs more!

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Wednesday, Sep 10 at 6:43 AM Greg Johnson wrote ...

I hope and pray that this does not happened to you with your radical opinions and you do not go through what my family is going through. This motel from what I am told is know for the drug and prostitution activities why has this not been addressed. If found guilty Amanda should pay the price and get the help she needs.I do not believe for one minute she tried to sell my grandson. Smoking crack with the baby present was foolish and She may have her issues but selling her child is another thing.

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Wednesday, Sep 10 at 1:32 AM Furious!!! wrote ...

I agree, she needs to have her tubes tied! why dont someone put her and the other crackheads away for life. i hope that this child has not been rented out to be molested. what other reason would anyone rent a child. Her charges are need to be more serious!And the baby need to under go testing for HIV, STDs, and drugs. It sad that these to dogs were able to concieve a child!

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Tuesday, Sep 9 at 2:51 PM LYNN wrote ...

ALL I HAVE TO SAY IS WHAT IS THIS WORLD COMING TOO! EVERY DAY I WATCH OR READ THE NEWS AND IT JUST KEEPS GETTING WORSE. WE HAVE NO REGARDS FOR HUMAN LIFE ANYMORE; ESPECIALLY CHILDREN. THERE LIFES MEAN NOTHING! PEOPLE THROW THEM AWAY LIKE THEIR TRASH.

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Tuesday, Sep 9 at 1:44 PM Katie41 wrote ...

I hope they find both the father and drug dealer and along with the mother put them away for a very long time. Let everyone in the prison know they were willing to sell a baby for crack. I hope the child is in protective custody and finds a loving home.

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Tuesday, Sep 9 at 1:22 PM Help this Infant wrote ...

Please someone take this poor child away from these people. It may already be too late.

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Tuesday, Sep 9 at 12:25 PM Lu wrote ...

there should be a law passed to have these animals shot and killed when they get caught trying to give away the most precious thing in life.

6802079 Inappropriate? Alert Us!

Tuesday, Sep 9 at 11:46 AM T.S. wrote ...

If found guilty these people should be sterilized to remove the possibilty that this will ever happen again.

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Tuesday, Sep 9 at 11:19 AM James Mohr wrote ...

It's sad that there is so little support for people like this that they fall so far. As a Christian, I am more ashamed than angry.

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