NC Trio Arrested After ‘Trading Toddler’ For Thomasville Vehicle

THOMASVILLE, NC. (THECOUNT) — A trio of suspects were arrested in Thomasville, NC after allegedly trading a 2-year-old for a vehicle, according to Thomasville police.

Thomasville detectives responded to Wake Forest Baptist Health’s High Point Medical Center after a report that a 2-year-old brought in showing bruising.

Hospital staff alerted law enforcement and child protective services.

Police say Tina Marie Chavis, 47, brought the child to the hospital, in High Point, NC, claiming that she was the child’s mother.

She then reportedly changed her story and said she was the child’s adoptive parent. Police say she had no documents to backup that claim.

The child was then given to a family member.

Investigators were able to find the child’s biological mother, Alice Leann Todd, 45, of Thomasville.

Police say Todd gave the child to Chavis and her husband Vicencio Mendoza Romero, 53, in exchange for a vehicle in 2018.

On Monday, a Davidson County Grand Jury returned true bills of indictment on Chavis, Romero and Todd for the unlawful sale, surrender or purchase of a minor.

They each received $50,000 secured bonds.

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Geo quick facts: Thomasville is a city in Davidson County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 26,757 at the 2010 census. The city is notable for its furniture industry, as are its neighbors High Point and Lexington – Wikipedia.