THE Department of Justice (DOJ) has secured the conviction of a mother who sold her child online following a ruling by the Regional Trial Court (RTC) in Quezon City.
The case stemmed from an online child exploitation incident in which the accused allegedly offered her infant child for sale through social media platforms and messaging applications.
Authorities were alerted after monitoring online postings involving the possible transfer of a minor in exchange for money.
Law enforcement operatives later conducted an entrapment operation that led to the rescue of the child victim and the filing of charges against the mother.
The RTC Branch 94 in Quezon City found the accused guilty beyond reasonable doubt of violating Section 10(a) of Republic Act 7610, or the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act.
In a decision dated April 14, 2026, the court affirmed the accused’s voluntary plea of guilty to a lesser offense, noting that it was made with full understanding of its consequences and with the conformity of both the prosecution and the complainant.
The court imposed an indeterminate sentence ranging from four years, nine months, and 11 days of prision correccional as minimum, to six years, eight months, and one day of prision mayor as maximum. The accused was also ordered to pay a fine of P15,000. In addition, the court directed the accused to pay the victim P20,000 each for moral, exemplary, and temperate damages, with all amounts earning interest at six percent per annum until fully paid.
