Woman Swaps Kids For Bird

NEW ORLEANS (AP) - A Louisiana woman is accused of trading two
young children in her care for a pet bird and $175 cash.
Authorities say she arranged the deal with a couple who had been
trying for years to have their own child.
Donna Greenwell is in custody on charges of aggravated
kidnapping.
Also charged are a man and woman identified as the would-be
adoptive parents, Paul and Brandy Romero. A sheriff's detective
says they appeared to have "good intentions," and that the kids
were well treated by them.
Authorities say the transaction for the 5-year-old boy and the
4-year-old girl was negotiated by phone. They say Greenwell had
contacted the couple after spotting a flier selling a cockatoo for
$1,500.
It's not known just what the relationship is between Greenwell
and the children. The children's father is being questioned, and
authorities are looking for the mother.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)