An Arkansas couple has been arrested after allegedly trying 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 charges of endangering the welfare of a minor and attempting to receive compensation for the release of a minor.
The Benton County Sheriff’s Office said it received a call on Sept. 21 from the manager of Hide Away Campground reporting that a couple “tried to give up a baby for a 6-pack of beer and then demanded $1,000 for the baby,” according to the report. in the affidavit, WREG reports.
The couple signed a letter authorizing the right to stay with their child before giving the boy to someone else, and also included a document stating that the child will not be returned.
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Darien Urban, 21, and Shalene Ehlers, 20, face charges of endangering the welfare of a minor and attempting to receive compensation for the release of a minor. (Darien Urban and Shalene Ehlers)
“I, Darien Urban and Shalene Ehlers sign away our rights to Cody Nathaniel Martin for our baby boy. [redacted] for $1,000 on 09/21/2024,” the letter read.
Multiple witnesses corroborated the attempted discovery, according to the affidavit.
The child was found to be in need of medical attention when a deputy arrived at the scene. The deputy called emergency services to take the baby to the hospital to be checked for signs of neglect. The child is in the care of the Arkansas Department of Human Services.
The witness said he found strong ammonia and a bad smell coming from the child, who was wearing a dirty diaper. A witness changed the baby’s diaper and saw a severe diaper rash, blisters and swelling, and took pictures documenting the injuries.
The deputy reportedly found a cell phone video of Urban and Ehlers signing a contract with the man trying to buy their child, according to a sworn statement, Law & Crime reported.
Witnesses reported that a resident of the campground, Ricky Crawford, had previously visited Urban and Ehlers and offered to spend the night with the infant in exchange for more cans of beer, according to court documents.
They are said to have signed a letter authorizing the right to stay with their child before giving the boy to someone else, and also included a document stating that the child will not be returned. (iStock)
This is after Ehler arrived at the other couple’s place and asked them for a beer as he usually does. But when the couple refused, Crawford offered beer to keep the baby overnight.
Crawford, who appeared to be highly intoxicated during his interview with the deputy, said he was concerned about the child’s welfare and wanted to remove him from the area where Urban and Ehler kept him overnight, a request they agreed to.
“He asked if he could have the baby overnight and then gave Urban and Ehlers several cans of beer,” the affidavit reads. “Urban and Ehlers agreed and he gave Crawford the baby and a diaper bag. He then brought the baby to Martin at another campsite in the campground. Ehlers and Urban then came to the same place and talked to Martin and Crawford before signing the letter. .”
“Based on the entire investigation, it is believed that both Urban and Ehler created a substantial risk of death or serious injury by abandoning their young child first with an apparently intoxicated man and finally with a stranger,” the affidavit reads. .
Martin told deputies he made the contract and although no money had been exchanged, he planned to deliver a $1,000 check to the couple on Sept. 23.
“[Urban and Ehlers] reported that Crawford had come to the campsite and asked to take the child at night,” according to the affidavit. “They said they agreed and gave Crawford the child. After they talked, they went to where the child was and talked to Martin.”
The TENNESSEE pair is badly burdened
Many witnesses supported the discovery effort. (Stock)
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“They said they would give the baby to Martin for $1,000,” he added. “They said Martin made the deal which they recorded on video to make sure it was legal and they planned to ‘make it legal’ on Monday. They both said they left with the understanding that the child was given to Martin to collect $1,000 on Monday. .”
Martin said he spoke to the mother about the possibility of giving up her child. “Martin said that it was not working to have three dogs and a baby,” the affidavit reads.
Urban was released on $50,000 bond while Ehlers remains in the Benton County Jail on $30,000 bail.
Last year, Urban started a GoFundMe where he said he and Ehlers were struggling financially after the birth of their first child.
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