at least the cockatoo would be quieter

A Louisiana woman reflects upon the value of loud, smelly animals - and pretty birds, too, in this article from the Shreveport Times.

Woman pleads to selling children

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS • FEBRUARY 23, 2010

VILLE PLATTE — A 52-year-old Pitkin woman has pleaded guilty to two counts of sale of a minor in connection with allegations she traded two children to a couple in exchange for a cockatoo and $175.

Donna Louise Greenwell received 15 months of hard labor on each count on Monday, which will run concurrently.

The Evangeline Parish Clerk of Court's Office tells The Advocate that Greenwell will begin serving her sentence March 25.

The couple, Paul James Romero and Brandy Lynn Romero, each pleaded guilty to the same charges in October.

Greenwell was accused of selling the couple a 4-year-old girl and 5-year-old boy. Both children were under Greenwell's care after the children' biological parents had left them with her.