BLUE RIDGE — A Blue Ridge couple has been arrested for attempting to convince a woman to give up parental rights to her child in exchange for a vehicle, according to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.

On June 26, the GBI was asked by the Fannin County Sheriff’s Office to assist in an investigation regarding a couple allegedly persuading a mother to sign over her rights to her child for the consideration of a vehicle. The couple was identified as 36-year-old Rebecca McClain and 44-year-old William Ryan McClain.

“As the investigation unfolded, it became clear that the 10-month-old child had been in the care of the McClains for several weeks and they were interested in adopting the child,” GBI spokeswoman Nelly Miles said in a statement.

According to the GBI, Rebecca McClain is a former employee of the Union County Division of Family and Children Services. GBI officials say they believe McClain came to know about the child through her position at DFCS.

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DFCS has been assisting the GBI in this investigation.

A search warrant was executed at the McClain home off Laurel Crossing Road in Blue Ridge June 27 for evidence in this investigation. The McClains were arrested during the search warrant for directly or indirectly holding out an inducement to a biological parent to part with his or her child.

The child was found in good condition and was taken into custody by DFCS and has been placed in foster care at this time.

This investigation is ongoing and upon completion will be provided to the Appalachian Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office for prosecution.