Advertisement

Man's horrific attempt to buy girl, 8, from her mother at supermarket

An 81-year-old man has attempted to buy an 8-year-old girl from her mother for $278,000 inside a busy supermarket.

Hellmuth Kolb was arrested on Saturday and charged with simple battery and false imprisonment Florida police say, WKMG-TV reported.

Tracy Nigh was sitting with her daughter on a bench inside the Walmart when Mr Kolb approached, asked if she was married and started bidding on her daughter.

Ms Nigh says she got up to leave but Mr Kolb grabbed her daughter and kissed her wrist. An arrest report says Ms Nigh left with her daughter and alerted store security.

Hellmuth Kolb (left) attempted to buy a girl from her mother at a Walmart (right file pic). Source: Volusia County Florida Corrections (left)/Getty (file pic) (right)
Hellmuth Kolb (left) attempted to buy a girl from her mother at a Walmart (right file pic). Source: Volusia County Florida Corrections (left)/Getty (file pic) (right)

Authorities say the exchange was caught on camera and Mr Kolb was identified through his credit card transaction and social media, where another woman described a similar experience.

It’s unclear if Mr Kolb has a lawyer.

-With AP