New York State Police have arrested a man accused of posting his children for sale on Craigslist.
Joshua Stagnitto told police it was a joke, said Investigator Bryan R. Blum of New York State Police in Rochester. Stagnitto turned himself in when he got transportation to come to the police station, Blum said.
Stagnitto, 24, of Brockport, is charged with one count of falsely reporting an incident in the third degree.
Blum told CNN the charge against Stagnitto stems from the fact "that he indicated a baseless allegation of a crime which caused public alarm" and triggered an investigation.
A member of the public called child protective services earlier in April after seeing the post. Authorities began a probe, and had to "make sure that if there are two kids for sale, that they be tracked down and nothing happened to them," Blum said.
When questioned by police, Stagnitto admitted he put the posting on Craigslist, the investigator said.
The two children remain with Stagnitto and their mother, whom Blum described as Stagnitto's "significant other."
Police do not believe the children are in any danger, he said.
If convicted of the misdemeanor charge, Stagnitto could face up to a year in jail or a fine of up to $1,000, Blum said.
Pure stupidity....i wouldve put them on ebay
"it was only a joke". seems like a good father... kidding, what an idiot!
If free-for-all web sites where anyone can post anything are not considered accurate sources of information - for example, even Wikipedia falls into this category - why is it that joke postings on Craigslist are always taken so seriously? I mean, was an arrest and all the resulting taxpayer expense really necessary in this case?
I don't have any kids. If I posted a joke ad on Craigslist claiming that I was offering some fictional children of mine for sale, would the same BS charge apply to me? If so, I would be tempted to file a BS suit against the police department, claiming that they made no arrangements for the care of my imaginary kids while I was in custody.
Didn't anyone realize this was posted on April 1st?
CSI speak – Look again. At least he has two children and perhaps it was not a joke after all.
Moki
Wow really? It was obviously a joke..
You know my Mom in the 60's would say to us she was going to sell us ti the first Gypsy Wagon that passed by for a nickle each when we would bring her to her wits end.And we believed her, and would straighten right up. Ha! those days are gone forever....
Coming from a young parent:
It was a #@$ing joke. If it offends you, grow a pair. If it was made in jest and no effort was ever made to sell his children, get off his back. For real.
Some joke ... no one is laughing now ... everyone wasted their time and energy ... poster, reader, police: none benefited. On the other hand, it is CL!
Trying to sell them is crazy but at least this isn't a another article about kids murdered by their parents.
I'm glad Craigslist wasn't around when I was a kid. A year in jail or a $1000 fine... Really?
According to the story, "Police do not believe the children are in any danger."
Okay, then why is it being dragged on any farther? Why is there going to be a trial? People today are just too freakin' uptight.
Nothing will happen to him, although putting your kids up for "sale" is a pretty stupid idea. I guess stupid is as stupid does.
Are you sure his name wasn't todd palin?
Sounds like a joke to me.. Let him off.