Philippine authorities have charged an American woman with human trafficking after she was caught at Manila airport allegedly trying to sneak a week-old baby boy out of the country.
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The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) said on Thursday that the woman, Jennifer Erin Talbot from Ohio, has also been charged with child abuse and kidnapping.
Talbot, 43, hid the baby inside a large bag as she made her way through the airport in Manila on September 4, and was caught just before boarding her flight to the United States.
"She has been charged with a violation of the Anti-trafficking in Persons Act of 2003," NBI spokeswoman Auralyn Pascual said.
"The child's situation must have been very difficult during the time that he was put inside that bag," she added.
The parents of the baby boy will also be charged with human trafficking, Pascual said.
According to Talbot, the boy's mother agreed to let her adopt the baby after they met online. She travelled to the southern city of Davao on August 21 to meet the woman, and stayed with her until she gave birth nine days later.
Manuel Dimaano, head of the NBI International Airport Investigation Division, said Talbot presented a letter allegedly from the baby's mother but it was not signed.
Under Philippine law, travel clearance from the social welfare department is required for children under 18-years-old to travel alone or with companions other than their parents.
Australian Associated Press
