Mother charged with trading her one-year-old BABY for a SECONDHAND car

North Carolina mum Alice Leann Todd, 45, has been charged with the unlawful sale, surrender, or purchase of a minor, after she allegedly traded her one-year-old baby for a secondhand car.

File image of a 1992 Plymouth Laser hatchback. Right, Alice Leann Todd. Credit: Edmunds/Thomasville Police Dept

The child's carers, Tina Marie Chavis, 47, and Vicenio Mendoza Romero, 53, faced the same charges, according to NBC.

The alleged 'swap' was uncovered when Chavis took the then two-year-old child to hospital to treat an allergic reaction.

Hospital staff contacted child protective services and police after noticing bruises on the toddler. A police investigation was then launched.

Tina Chavis, Vicencio Romero and Alice Leann Todd. Credit: Thomasville Police Dept.

Thomasville Police Department

Initially, Chavis claimed to be the toddler's biological mother, later changing her story to say she was the child's adoptive mother, according to police.

However, she didn't have any paperwork to back up her claims.

Eventually, it was discovered that the child had allegedly been traded for Chavis and Romero's 1992 Plymouth Laser the year before.

The child is in the care of a family member.

Beth Young

Beth is senior features writer for that's life! and host of the podcast How I Survived.