If You Can't Pay Bill When Baby Is Born, Hospital Will Sell Your Baby, 1933

Ah, the “good old days.” Can’t pay the hospital bill when your baby is born? No problem. Hospital will take your baby and sell it. From the Journal-Patriot, North Wilkesboro, N.C., August 28, 1933

Fifth Baby Is Sold for Hospital Fees

Tulsa, Okla., Aug. 21—Miss Helen Schaeffer, director of the Tulsa Children’s Service bureau, said today a fifth baby has been “sold” here recently to pay hospital costs of its unmarried mother.

Miss Schaeffer, whose discovery that four other infants had been sold for $70 to $100 led to an investigation by the state commissioner of charities and corrections, said she expected “to find new cases every now and then.”

“We have not reached the end of our investigation,” she said. “All our findings will be turned over to the Tulsa County Medical society in due time.”

Mrs. Mable Bassett, state charities commissioner, had returned to Oklahoma City today after examining the evidence Miss Schaeffer obtained and is preparing a report for Dr. Carl Simpson, society secretary. The society will study the report at its next meeting, September 11.

There is no state law that prohibits such transactions, and foster parents who purchase the children are permitted by law to keep them without a hearing to assure they maintain proper homes.