In light of the global recession resulting in the harsh financial climate facing many locals, a mother-to-be in Old Harbour, St Catherine, is today seeking a loving family who would be interested in adopting her unborn child as soon as the babe enters the world.

Speaking with THE STAR yesterday, the four-months-pregnant woman, giving her name only as Tina, said while the decision was hard, it was the best way for the unborn child to enjoy a better life should the cruel economic conditions continue.

"It's a hard thing to do, but I don't want the baby to suffer. The hardship and the recession is really the only reason why I'm giving up my baby," Tina said. "I have four children. The youngest lives with me, and he can't even go to school because I can no longer work and I have no one supporting me."

exotic dancing

The 35-year-old woman explained that she used to do exotic dancing to provide for herself but gave up the pole since the pregnancy. "That was the only job I had. The guy I am pregnant for now, he isn't paying me any mind because we are not together anymore. I even told him that I would be putting up the baby for adoption when he or she is born and he doesn't seem to care."

Tina had requested that her number be published in this newspaper, prompting interested persons to give her a call.

However, the Child Development Agency (CDA) said the woman would need to get in contact with them to legally complete her request.

In an emailed response from the CDA, the agency's information officer, Avery Nelson, said the mother-to-be would first need to go in to a CDA office for counselling.

"If after the baby is born she still wishes to give it up, then we will place the new-born into one of our nurseries and she (the mother) will have six weeks to decide if she wishes to pursue the matter," the email read. "After the six weeks, then she can come back to the office and sign the consent form." After that is done, the CDA would then see to the placement of the child with a family.

The agency urged that the woman contact them as counselling was an integral part of the process she was contemplating.