Authorities in the rural farming community of Greenfield, 225 kms southeast of San Francisco, said the 36-year-old Hispanic man sold the child to an 18-year-old man who was to marry the girl.

The case came to light after the parent complained to police that his daughter's prospective husband had failed to pay him under the terms of their deal, which was brokered by a third party.

The man has been arrested on human trafficking charges while the 18-year-old has been booked for statutory rape. The child has been returned to the family.

Greenfield Police Department said in a statement there had been several cases where children had been sold or offered for sale, including one incident involving a 12-year-old.