BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. — A new mother is in the Brevard County Jail after police said she put her baby up for adoption, but intended to keep the child.
A family was ready to adopt the baby boy and take him home after he was born.
The family covered months of the suspect’s expenses. The adoptive family now believes the money was used to buy gifts.
Jennifer Sisti is charged with adoption fraud and grand theft.
According to Palm Bay police, Sisti signed an adoption agreement with a central Florida adoption agency, but after the papers were signed, the agency said Sisti became very demanding and requested extra money.
She was told that after she was matched with a family that she would begin receiving assistance.
The agency said Sisti told workers that if she wanted to eat cheeseburgers and stay in a nice place, she should have the right to do so.
However, shortly after the agency put up Sisti and her new husband in a hotel room, Sisti told them that she would sign another agreement with a local adoption attorney.
The attorney matched Sisti with an out-of-state adoptive family, but after providing funds for a hotel, clothes, food and more, the adoptive mother learned through Facebook that Sisti had given birth earlier this month.
Investigators don’t believe that Sisti ever had any intention of placing the child for adoption.
Sisti, who is already on probation for organized fraud and various drug charges, is being held without bond.
The Department of Children and Families said it’s working with Sisti and her extended family to make sure the newborn is safe and well cared for.
The child has not been placed in protective custody.