Prank offer of free baby lands teen in trouble

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A Clinton teen was pulling the leg of a friend when he advertised a free baby boy on Craigslist using the friend's cell number on the contact information, police say.

Police Chief Don Byington would not identify the youths involved, but said the posting was "a bad practical joke."

His department's investigation shows the 18-year-old student at Clinton High took a photo of an unknown baby boy from Google and placed the advertisement on Craigslist to give away - not to sell - the baby, Byington said.

Officers consulted with Craigslist and used the cell phone number to track down what happened, he said. The male student whose number was used without his permission "didn't know until his friends called it to his attention," Byington said.

Police contacted the family members of the student who placed the listing and allowed them to go get the student from school and bring him to the department Monday for questioning.

"We've talked to everyone involved, and we are consulting with the district attorney's office to see if there are any charges to be brought," he said. "We are exploring that."

Hinds County Assistant District Attorney Jamie McBride said the posting of such information on Craigslist can be prosecuted under state law that makes the "posting of messages through electronic media for the purpose of causing injury to another person" a felony.

A conviction carries up to five years in jail and up to a $10,000 fine, McBride said.

Youth offenders under 18 would not be prosecuted as an adult, but instead would fall under the jurisdiction of Youth Court, he said. "It would be considered a delinquency charge," he said.

Clinton schools Superintendent Phil Burchfield on Tuesday stressed the importance of proper behavior online.

Burchfield said the district will cooperate with law enforcement throughout its investigation. Disciplinary actions, if any, would be decided at the investigation's end, Burchfield said.

Working with the state attorney general's office, Clinton High recently hosted a Facebook Roadshow aimed at teaching students proper behavior and etiquette on social networking sites.

Byington said the student now understands his actions can be prosecuted.

"I think after speaking with him, he realized the magnitude of what took place when he placed it on there," the chief said. "It's a lack of maturity on his part."

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