An Arkansas couple faces felony charges after allegedly offering to sell their two-month-old baby for a six-pack of beer and then demanding $1,000 for the child at a campground.
An Arkansas couple was arrested after allegedly attempting to sell their two-month-old baby to a man at a campground for $1,000 and a six-pack of beer. Darien Urban, 21, and Shalene Ehlers, 20, face felony charges of endangering the welfare of a minor and attempting to accept compensation for relinquishment of a minor.
The Benton County Sheriff's Office received a call on Sept. 21 from the manager of the Hide Away Campground reporting that the couple "tried to give up the baby for a 6-pack of beer and then wanted $1,000 for the baby," according to an affidavit.
Arkansas Couple Arrested for Attempting to Sell Infant for $1,000 and Beer
The couple signed a letter granting custody of their child to another individual before handing the boy over, and even included a disclaimer that the child could not be returned. The letter reads, "I, Darien Urban and Shalene Ehlers are signing our rights over to Cody Nathaniel Martin of our baby boy [redacted] for $1,000 on 09/21/2024. Disclaimer: After signing this there will be no changing yall two's minds and to never contact again."
Multiple witnesses corroborated the attempted adoption, and the child was found in need of medical attention when a deputy arrived at the scene. The deputy called emergency medical services to transport the baby to a hospital for evaluation for signs of neglect. The child is now in the care of the Arkansas Department of Human Services.
Arkansas Couple Arrested for Attempting to Sell Infant for $1,000 and Beer
A witness discovered a strong ammonia and fecal odor coming from the baby, who had a dirty diaper. The witness changed the baby's diaper and noticed severe diaper rash, blisters, and swelling, which she photographed to document the injuries.
Cellphone video obtained by a deputy shows Urban and Ehlers signing the contract with the man attempting to purchase their baby. Witnesses also reported that a resident of the campground, Ricky Crawford, had earlier visited Urban and Ehlers and offered to take the baby for the night in exchange for several cans of beer.
Arkansas Couple Arrested for Attempting to Sell Infant for $1,000 and Beer
After Ehlers approached another couple's camper and asked for beer, Crawford offered to give her beer in exchange for keeping the baby overnight. Crawford, who appeared heavily intoxicated during his interview with a deputy, said he was concerned about the baby's well-being and wanted to take the child out of Urban's and Ehler's care for the night.
Crawford provided Urban and Ehlers with several cans of beer in exchange for the baby and a diaper bag. He then brought the baby to Martin at another camper at the campground. Ehlers and Urban followed and spoke to Martin and Crawford before signing the letter.
Arkansas Couple Arrested for Attempting to Sell Infant for $1,000 and Beer
"Based on the totality of the investigation, it is believed both Urban and Ehler created a substantial risk of death or serious physical injury by abandoning their minor child initially with an obviously intoxicated male and ultimately with someone they did not know," the affidavit reads.
Martin told deputies he had drawn up the contract, and while no money had been exchanged yet, he planned to bring the couple a $1,000 check on Sept. 23. Urban and Ehlers reported that they had agreed to surrender the baby to Martin for $1,000 in cash. They stated that Martin created an agreement that they videotaped to ensure it was legal and that they planned to "legalize" it on Monday. They both left with the understanding that the baby was given to Martin in exchange for $1,000 to be collected on Monday.
Martin said the mother told him she was struggling financially after the birth of their first child. Urban was released on a $50,000 bond, while Ehlers remains in custody in the Benton County Jail on a $30,000 bail.
Last year, Urban created a GoFundMe in which he said he and Ehlers were struggling financially after the birth of their first child. The GoFundMe page has since been taken down.
