A seven-month-old baby boy has been taken away from his parents after they advertised him for sale on eBay for one euro.
eBay eventually removed the adPolice in southern Germany took the child away on Saturday after they received calls from surfers who had seen the advert on the online auction site.
Officers have now launched an investigation into possible child trafficking charges against the parents - who claim it was "all a joke".
The 23-year-old mother told German newspaper Bild: "It was only a joke.
"I just wanted to see if someone would make an offer.
"They've taken my son to hospital and I've got to take psychiatric tests next week."
No offers were made for the child in the two hours and 30 minutes he was posted for sale.
The ad read: "Baby - collection only. Offer my nearly new baby for sale because it cries too much.
"Male, 70 cm long."
eBay has deleted the advert and the child is currently in the care of "youth services" in the southwestern Allgaeu region of Germany.
