Parents try to sell baby on eBay

BERLIN, Germany (CNN/AP) -- Police in southern Germany say they have removed a seven-month-old boy from his parents after they tried to sell him for one euro (US$1.57) over eBay.

Krumbach police spokesman Peter Hieber said baby Merlin has been put in care of youth services in the southwestern Allgaeu region and was doing well on Saturday.

Authorities have launched an investigation into possible child trafficking against the parents.

Hieber said the mother told police she had only intended the Internet ad as a joke. No offers were made for the child in the two hours and 30 minutes the ad was posted. Ebay deleted the posting afterward.

Several people who saw the ad alerted the police.