North Carolina mom, 45, 'sold her one-year-old daughter to purchase a car from a local couple

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Alice Todd, 45, Tina Chavis, 47, and Vicencio Romero, 53, were arrested at their homes Wednesday after a two-month police investigation
The trio appeared in court Thursday to face felony charges of unlawful sale, surrender, or purchase of a minor
A local hospital called police and children's services on July 23 after Chavis brought a bruised little girl in and claimed the child had an allergic reaction
Police later learned Chavis allegedly obtained the toddler from Todd some time in 2018 in exchange for a used early 1990s Plymouth Laser Hatchback

Published: 22:42 EDT, 3 October 2019 | Updated: 12:30 EDT, 4 October 2019

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Police arrested Alice Todd, 45, at her house Wednesday and charged her with unlawful sale, surrender, or purchase of a minor

A North Carolina mother has been arrested for allegedky giving away her one-year-old daughter in exchange for a used car.

Thomasville Police booked Alice Leann Todd, 45, at her house on Wednesday, the same day they arrested Tina Marie Chavis, 47, and Chavis' husband, Vicencio Romero, 53, at their home in the small city, located about 69 miles northeast of Charlotte.

The trio appeared in court to face felony charges of unlawful sale, surrender, or purchase of a minor on Thursday.

Investigators learned of the group's alleged nefarious transaction after Wake Forest Baptist Health High Point Medical Center staffers called police on July 23.

The medical center also contacted child protective services the same day when Chavis showed up there with a two-year-old girl who had bruises on her body, telling doctors the child appeared to be having an allergic reaction.

Tina Marie Chavis, 47, and Vicencio Romero, 53, were also charged with unlawful sale, surrender, or purchase of a minor

Police say Todd traded her toddler to Chavis and Romero some time in 2018 in exchange for a used early 1990s Plymouth Laser Hatchback (pictured)

The 47-year-old initially said she was the unnamed child's mother, but she had no paperwork to back up her story. After investigators probed further, Chavis claimed she had adopted the toddler, police said.

Responding officers initially put the little girl in the care of a family member. The suspects' arrest came after an estimated two-month investigation.

During that time, detectives discovered Chavis had acquired the child from Todd some time in 2018 - in exchange for an early 1990s Plymouth Laser Hatchback.

It's still unclear why Chavis and her husband accepted a baby in exchange for a car or why the child's mother agreed to the transaction in the first place.

Thomasville police did not immediately respond for calls or emails requesting comment Thursday night.

An ad for the 27-year-old blue sedan was posted on Edmunds.com, according to NBC News. The vehicle received a four out of five star rating from eight reviewers.

'The Laser gains all-wheel drive as an option that greatly improves handling,' the car's page says. 'Front and rear styling changes include headlights, tail lamps, and a new rear spoiler on turbo models.'

Police declined to provide an update on the child's condition or location on Thursday. WXII-TV reported the little girl is safe and in the custody of a family member.

All three suspects are being held at Davidson County Jail on $50,000, court and jail records show. Each is scheduled to appear in court again on October 21.