A couple from Arkansas (United States) has been accused of try to sell your baby in exchange for a six-pack of beer and 1,000 dollars (just under 900 euros).
On Sunday, Darien Urban21 years old, and Shalene Ehlers20, were arrested for endangering the welfare of a minor and attempting to accept compensation for the surrender of a minor, according to the Benton County Sheriff’s Office.
According to an affidavit, on September 21, authorities received a call from the administrator’s office. Beaver Lake Hide-A-Way Campground in Rogers, Arkansas, in which the caller reported that the “parents of a two-month-old baby tried to trade him for a six-pack of beer and then asked for $1,000 for the baby.”
The caller also claimed that the parents “wrote a letter” for the alleged adopter to give them “custody” of their baby, which the caller said “he needed medical attention.”
The probable cause document said authorities responded to the call. Upon arrival, the authorities reportedly spoke with several witnesses. The affidavit also noted that the agent found a “contract” signed by Urban and Ehlers, in which they had attempted to give custody to a man named Cody Nathaniel Martin.
“I, Darien Urban and Shalene Ehlers, signed over to Cody Nathaniel Martin our baby for $1,000 on 09/21/2024,” the letter said. “Disclaimer“After signing this, there will be no change of mind between the two of you and we will never contact you again,” he added.
However, according to the affidavit, it was the exchange of beer that set the adoption attempt in motion. According to authorities, a man from the campground, Ricky Crawford, had visited Urban and Ehlers’ trailer and asked to watch their baby, and offered them beer. Crawford told police he asked for the boy because he was “concerned for the baby’s well-being.”
“He asked if he could keep the baby overnight and gave Urban and Ehlers several cans of beer in exchange”, reads in the document. “Urban and Ehlers agreed and gave the baby along with a bag of diapers to Crawford. He then took the baby to Martin in another trailer at the camp. Ehlers and Urban then went to the same trailer and spoke with Martin and Crawford before signing the letter”
When he was delivered, the baby had “an unpleasant odor of ammonia and feces and the diaper was full.” After removing the diaper, it was observed that he had a severe rashblisters and swelling in the buttocks and genitals. Dog hairs were also found inside the diaper.
Urban and Ehlers were arrested and charged, and the baby was taken to a hospital. “Based on the entirety of the investigation, it is believed that both Urban and Ehlers created a substantial risk of death or serious physical injuries by abandoning their youngest daughter initially with an obviously intoxicated man and ultimately with someone they did not know,” the affidavit reads.
According to Benton County Sheriff’s Office records, both Urban and Ehlers were in custody and fined $1,000. $50,000. Urban was released Monday, while Ehlers remains behind bars.
