Missouri Day Care Operator Charged With Attempted Kidnapping

A Missouri day care provider has been charged with taking a baby to Arkansas to arrange for her adoption without the knowledge of the girl's parents.

Thirty-year-old Lasonya Poindexter, of Joplin, was charged with attempted kidnapping Thursday.

The affidavit says the plot fell apart in July when the would-be adoptive parents became suspicious and reached out to the baby's parents on Facebook. The parents confirmed they hadn't put the girl up for adoption and didn't know that Poindexter had taken the girl to Lincoln, Arkansas, at least four times to meet the couple who wanted to adopt after suffering a miscarriage.

The affidavit says Poindexter asked for money for the girl's care during one visit.

Poindexter's attorney didn't immediately return phone or email messages from The Associated Press.