MEXICO CITY – Authorities in the Mexican state of Morelos are investigating the sale of a newborn baby by a woman seeking funds to pay for cancer treatment for one of her four other children, the state Attorney General’s Office said Thursday.

The mother sold the infant to a midwife in Ciudad Ayala, Morelos, who in turn handed over the baby to a U.S. woman who was intercepted in the northern city of Monterrey while trying to return to the United States.

After giving birth Feb. 6, the 30-year-old unemployed single mother sold the baby to the midwife for 5,000 pesos ($416), according to a statement from the Morelos AG’s office.

The midwife then sold the child to the U.S. woman for 20,000 pesos ($1,670).

Both the midwife and the U.S. citizen are in custody and may be prosecuted for human trafficking.

Given her situation as a poor, jobless woman supporting four children, Morelos Attorney General Luis Benitez Velez said the mother should not face any charges.

“Out of great ignorance, obvious inexperience and extreme necessity, she found herself obliged to give up the minor for a sum of money,” Benitez said of the mother.

Police caught up with the American woman near the U.S. Consulate in Monterrey as she was trying to obtain a visa for the baby, Mexico City daily said Thursday.

While authorities refused to discuss any details, Reforma identified the U.S. woman as 46-year-old Antonia Martinez of McAllen, Texas. EFE