Calif. father accused of trying to sell his baby for $25 at Walmart is beaten by jail inmates

SALINAS, Calif. – SALINAS, Calif. (AP) — Jail officials in California say a father accused of trying to sell his baby for $25 outside a Walmart is recovering after other inmates beat him.

Thirty-eight-year-old Patrick Fousek and 20-year-old Samantha Tomasini, of Salinas, pleaded not guilty to child endangerment and drug charges Friday.

Fousek appeared in court with a bruised eye and stitches. Sheriff's Cmdr. Mike Richards said the man was attacked Thursday at the Monterey County Jail. He also suffered two cracked ribs and is now being held away from the general population.

Fousek is accused of approaching two women Wednesday and asking if they'd like to purchase his 6-month-old.

He and Tomasini were arrested a few hours later at their home, and Child Protective Services took the baby.

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Information from: The Monterey County Herald, http://www.montereyherald.com