A woman sold her 6-year-old son for $25,000 and has been charged
In Volyn, law enforcement officers have arrested a woman who attempted to sell her six-year-old son for 25,000 US dollars. The suspect was detained whilst handing over the money.
According to the investigation, the woman, a resident of the Lutsk district, was looking for buyers to sell her child in order to improve her financial situation. In March 2026, she found a man to whom she offered to sell the boy and agreed to hand over the child for the agreed sum.
On 17 April 2026, the handover of the child took place in Lutsk under the supervision of law enforcement officers. After receiving the money, the woman was arrested.
The investigation also established that following her divorce, the suspect had been living with her youngest son, whilst her two older children remained with their father. According to law enforcement officials, she did not wish to continue caring for the child.
After being taken into care, the boy was taken to a children’s centre, where specialists are working with him. He remains under the supervision of the child welfare authorities.
Under the procedural guidance of the Volyn Regional Prosecutor’s Office, the woman has been notified of suspicion under Part 3 of Article 149 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. The court has ordered her to be remanded in custody.
A separate legal assessment will be carried out regarding the actions of social services staff, as the child was on their register.
The woman faces up to 15 years’ imprisonment.
In accordance with Article 62 of the Constitution of Ukraine, a person is presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.
