THOMASVILLE, N.C. – Three people have been charged in North Carolina after police say a mother traded her young daughter for a car. A Davidson County Grand Jury has indicted the trio for the unlawful sale, surrender, or purchase of a minor.

Thomasville detectives began their probe in July, after they were called to the hospital in reference to a two-year-old girl with bruising. Police say Tina Chavis brought the toddler to the hospital and initially claimed to be the girl’s mother. Chavis then claimed to have adopted the child, but didn’t have any records of the adoption. The investigation revealed the biological mother, 45-year-old Alice Leann Todd, gave the child to Chavis and her husband, Vicencio Romero, in exchange for a car in 2018.

Chavis, and Romero each received a $50,000 secured bond and were placed in the Davidson County Jail.

The girl is with a family member.