Darien Urban and Shalene Ehlers, Arkansas couple arrested trying to sell their 2 month old baby for 6 pack of beer and $1,000 at a Benton campground.
An Arkansas couple have been accused of trying to sell their 2 month old baby for a six pack of beer and $1,000 at a Benton campground.
Darien Urban, 21, and Shalene Ehlers, 20, following their arrest were charged with endangering the welfare of a minor and attempting to commit consideration for relinquishing a minor for adoption, KHBS reported.
The couple’s baby has since been given to the state Department of Human Services, according to the Benton County Prosecutor’s Office.
Parents film themselves signing over their rights to baby
Benton County Sheriff’s deputies were called to Beaver Lake Hide-A-Way Campground in Rogers on September 21 by someone who said the parents were trying to sell the baby for beer and a cashier’s check for $1,000. The caller also said the baby needed medical attention.
When deputies arrived, Urban and Ehlers were not at the campground, with deputies taking the baby who showed signs of neglect to hospital.
Court documents say witnesses showed investigators a letter from the parents saying they were signing over their rights to the child. A witness also provided video of Urban and Ehlers signing the letter.
‘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,’ the letter said, Law&Crime reported.
3 dogs and a baby is a crowd
The document further said, ‘Disclaimer: After signing this there will be no changing yall two’s minds and to never contact again.’
The couple initially left the child with a man named Ricky Crawford, who was only keeping the baby overnight, court document said. Martin was to pay the couple $1,000.
‘[Urban and Ehlers] stated Martin created an agreement that they videotaped to ensure it was legal and they planned to ‘legalize’ it on Monday,’ the affidavit stated. ‘They both stated they then left on the understanding the baby was given to Martin in exchange for $1,000 to be collected on Monday.’
Martin told deputies he asked the couple why they would sell their baby, with Ehlers responding, ‘it was not working having three dogs and a baby,’ according to the affidavit.
Urban and Ehlers were both ordered held on $50,000 bonds each. Urban has since bonded out.
