Police in Germany have taken a seven month old baby into custody after receiving word that the child was placed for sale on eBay.

The 23-year-old mother said it was just a joke, but police are still investigating on suspicion of child trafficking.

Several people in Germany notified authorities after coming across the advertisement on eBay. The ad read "Baby -- collection only. Offer my nearly new baby for sale because it cries too much. Male, 70 cm long."

Bidding began at one euro, equivalent to $1.57 in the U.S., there were no bidders. The eBay ad was pulled two hours after it was posted.

The mother was interviewed by a German newspaper called Bild, she said "It was only a joke. I just wanted to see if someone would make an offer. They've taken my son to hospital and I've got to take psychiatric tests next week."

• FOXNews.com: German Couple Loses Custody of 7-month-old Son After... (May 24, 2008)

• Deutsche Welle: German Couple Offer Baby for Sale on the Internet (May 24, 2008)

• CNN: Parents Try to Sell Baby on Ebay (May 24, 2008)

• Reuters: German Police Investigate Mom Who Put Baby on Ebay (May 24, 2008)

• Topix.net: Ebay Baby

• Google News: Ebay Baby

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