Woman charged for selling neighbor's son; victim still missing

MANILA, Philippines - A woman is facing charges for allegedly kidnapping and selling her neighbor’s four-year-old son in Bagombong, Caloocan City.

Teresa Garon, 39, is currently detained at the Caloocan City police headquarters and faces child trafficking charges filed before city assistant prosecutor Darwin Canete.

The victim, Jherome Ramores, remains missing, according to his mother, Jacquelyn, 25.

Jacquelyn said that last July 16, they were having a birthday party for one of their family members when they noticed Jherome was missing at around 4 p.m.

She said neighbors told them Jherome was reportedly seen with Garon walking away from their house.

“We frantically searched for Garon, for it was raining then, but we also failed to find her,” Jacquelyn said.

At around midnight on Aug. 2, Garon reappeared in their neighborhood without Jherome.

Jacquelyn said Garon initially denied taking the boy, but when witnesses showed up “she then admitted giving my son to a doctor for P6,000.”

Police arrested Garon, who led them to the doctor’s house in Valenzuela City, but they failed to find the boy.

“Garon and the doctor were both charged with child trafficking but while no bail was recommended for her temporary liberty, the doctor was released for further investigation because the fiscal said we don’t have a strong case against him, ” Jacquelyn said.