Arkansas couple allegedly tried to sell their baby

An Arkansas couple was 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 criminal charges for endangering the welfare of a minor and attempting to accept compensation for abandonment of a minor.

The Benton County Sheriff's Office said it received a call Sept. 21 from the Hide Away Campground manager reporting 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, WREG reported.

The two signed a letter granting custody of their child before giving the boy to someone else, and even included a disclaimer that the child could not be returned.

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Darien Urban, 21, and Shalene Ehlers, 20, face criminal charges for endangering the welfare of a minor and attempting to accept compensation for abandonment of a minor. (Darien Urban and Shalene Ehlers)

“I, Darien Urban and Shalene Ehlers sign over our rights to Cody Nathaniel Martin to our baby boy. [redacted] for $1,000 on 09/21/2024,” the letter read. “Disclaimer: After signing this, you will not be able to change your mind or ever contact us again.”

Several witnesses corroborated the adoption attempt, according to the affidavit.

The child needed medical attention when a police officer arrived on scene. The deputy called EMS to transport the baby to the hospital for evaluation for signs of neglect. The child is in the custody of the Arkansas Department of Human Services.

A witness said he discovered a strong smell of ammonia and fecal matter 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 took a photo of to document the injuries.

A deputy also allegedly obtained cellphone video of Urban and Ehlers signing the contract with the man trying to buy their baby, according to the affidavit, Law & Crime reported.

Witnesses reported that a campground resident, Ricky Crawford, had previously visited Urban and Ehlers and offered to take the baby in for the night in exchange for several cans of beer, according to court documents.

The two reportedly signed a letter granting custody of their child before releasing the boy to someone else, and even included a disclaimer that the child could not be returned. (iStock)

This was after Ehler allegedly approached another couple's RV and asked them for beer, as she often does. But when the couple refused, Crawford offered beer in exchange for keeping the baby for the night.

Crawford, who appeared heavily intoxicated during his interview with a deputy, said he was concerned about the baby's well-being and wanted to remove him from Urban and Ehler's care for the night, a offer which they accepted.

“He asked if he could have the baby overnight and provided Urban and Ehlers with several cans of beer in exchange,” the affidavit reads. “Urban and Ehlers agreed and gave the baby with a diaper bag to Crawford. He then brought the baby to Martin in another RV at the campground. Ehlers and Urban then came in the same RV and spoke to Martin and Crawford before signing the letter.

“Based on the entire investigation, it is believed that Urban and Ehler created a substantial risk of death or serious injury by abandoning their minor child first with an obviously intoxicated man and ultimately with someone whom they did not know,” the affidavit states. .

Martin told deputies he had drawn up the contract and that although no money had yet been exchanged, he planned to bring the couple a check for $1,000 on September 23.

“[Urban and Ehlers] reported that Crawford came to the RV and asked to take the baby for the night,” according to the affidavit. “They stated they agreed and gave the baby to Crawford. They said they then discussed it and went to the RV where the baby was and spoke to Martin.”

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Several witnesses corroborated the adoption attempt. (iStock)

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“They stated that they offered to release the baby to Martin in exchange for $1,000 in cash,” the statement added. “They said Martin created an agreement that they videotaped to make sure it was legal and that they planned to 'legalize' it on Monday. They both said they then left, with the understanding that the baby had been given to Martin in exchange for $1,000 to be collected on Monday.”

Martin said he spoke to the mother about why she was considering giving up her child. “Martin said it didn’t work to have three dogs and a baby,” the affidavit states.

Urban was released on $50,000 bail while Ehlers remains in custody in the Benton County Jail on $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.