OMAHA, Neb. -- Omaha police said they arrested a woman for trying to sell her 18-month-old child into prostitution.

Elizabeth Harlan, 35, was arrested late Sunday at an apartment where police were called to check on a child. Police said when they arrived, the child was eating cigarettes and Harlan was passed out on the sofa.

Harlan is accused of felony child abuse.

Harlan appeared in court Monday. After she heard the formal charges, she looked at her relatives assembled in the courtroom and told them the charges against her are not true.

Court officials said a witness told police that Harlan was trying to sell her child to another man for sex.

"The allegation, at that time, was that the mother attempted to sell her 18-month-old child for prostitution purposes," said Omaha Police Sgt. Teresa Negron.

The child was taken to Creighton University Medical Center.

Relatives said Harlan has four children. Her aunt, Mildred Alcarez, said she kept the 18-month-old child for most of the day Sunday and wishes she'd never taken him back to his mother. Alcarez said she plans to fight for custody.

Neighbors who live near Harlan said they didn't know her, but are in disbelief about what happened.

"I never experienced anything like that, like where I live right now," said neighbor Linda Villagomez.

"They surprised me," said Ramiro Garcia. "I got new neighbors and you never know what kind of neighbors you have. I'm worried, 'cause if I had a 1-year-old child, I don't want that to happen, something like that."

Harlan's bond was set at $800,000. She'll get a preliminary hearing on June 24.