Florida woman, 33, is arrested for loitering round H&R Block trying to sell her daughter to a stranger for $500... then abandoned the 'bruised' toddler

A Florida woman has been arrested for trying to sell her daughter for $500 outside a local store - and then abandoning the child when confronted by an employee.

Police said Jessica Woods, 33, was loitering around a H&R Block office in Palatka with her 18-month-old daughter, who had a bruise on her face, on March 5.

An employee of the business told police that Woods had first come into the establishment at 7:40pm one evening because her baby had a soiled diaper.

As Woods used the H&R Block restroom to change the child, the worker witnessed the mother hit her daughter with her elbow and then spank her, according to the probable cause affidavit seen by DailyMail.com.

The next morning, the witness arrived back at the office and found Woods sleeping on top of the outside air conditioner unit - and the 18-month-old was sleeping near her in a shopping cart without a blanket.

Jessica Woods, 33, was arrested for trying to sell her daughter for $500 outside a local store and then abandoned her

The mother was hanging around the H&R Block (pictured) with her daughter, when she asked one of the employees to buy her child, who had a bruise on her face, according to the affidavit

The employee confronted the mother and asked if she or the child needed any help, the affidavit said. 

Woods demanded money - and when the employee said she would buy her items but not cough up cash, Woods became 'enraged' and threw her child. 

Later in the day around 2pm, the witness said Woods crossed the busy street and went over to talk with her. She put the baby down on the ground, near some grass.

The 18-month-old began to crawl towards a busy road, the police document stated.

The worker picked up the baby - and it was at this point that Woods allegedly offered to sell her daughter for $500.

According to the affidavit, the woman said she would not give her any money. Woods then replied: 'You can have the b*****d.' 

When the employee refused to buy the toddler, Woods walked away and abandoned her child. The worker took the child into H&R Block, and cleaned her up.

According to the Palatka Police Department Woods is known to have frequented the area. Pictured: Woods in a previous mugshot

'Jessica did not return to take custody of [the child],' the affidavit read.  

The employee took the 18-month-old to the Palatka Police Department and told them what happened.

According to the Palatka Police Department, Woods is known to have frequented the area. 

Officers and the Department’s Victim Advocate provided care to the child until the Department of Children and Families took custody of her. 

The child has since been placed in foster care. 

Woods has been charged with child abuse, child neglect, abandonment of a child and selling a minor for money.

She was located and arrested on March 7 and transported to the Putnam County Jail.

Her bond was initially set at $255,000 and court documents appear to show she was ordered to have no contact with her victim.

'Praying for this mother and especially that baby,' said a user name Charlet Blackkcherry on the police department's Facebook post.

Frances Bierly Bradshaw said: 'Thank goodness for good person taking child to police.' 

'Gratitude to the folks that helped the child,' said Nora Jeffery Hanson 

'So sad for that baby girl! Hope the child and mother both get the help they need,' said Holly Harris.

Nita Smith said: 'Thank You to the citizen who took the child to a safe place the police department.'