The man accused of posting a Craigslist ad regarding a baby for sale made his first court appearance on Thursday.

Police mugshot

Patrick Lee Ryan

Patrick Lee Ryan was assigned a court-appointed attorney. Bail was set at $45,000. He posted 10 percent and was released.

Ryan was scheduled to enter a plea on April 10th at his preliminary hearing.

Police arrested Ryan on Wednesday. Investigators believe he published the Craigslist post that advertised a baby for sale and listed the names of a Lebanon husband and wife said to be the infant’s drug-addicted parents.

The ad claimed that the husband and wife are methamphetamine users who want to sell their baby for drug money. In reality, the couple doesn’t even have an infant, according to police.

Officers arrested 33-year-old Ryan, of Dallas, Ore., for trying to buy or sell a child, disorderly conduct and computer crimes.

It’s unclear whether the ad was a simple hoax or a deliberate attempt to embarrass the couple by spreading lies, said Salem Lt. Steve Birr. However, he added that, “It appears someone may have posted it to create problem for them.”

Investigators said no infants were ever in any danger, and that Ryan did not have a child of his own.

Police were alerted about the ad early Tuesday morning. Craiglist removed it a short time later.