A young couple in Arkansas faces charges after allegedly trying to sell their two-month-old son for a six-pack of beer and $1,000, according to authorities. Darien Urban, 21, and Shalene Ehlers, 20, reportedly made the shocking offer at the Beaver Lake Hide-A-Way campground in Rogers, Arkansas.
The incident came to light after a witness at the camp used the phone in the manager’s office to contact the Benton County Sheriff’s Office. The caller reported that the couple “tried to give up the baby for a 6-pack of beer and then wanted $1,000 for the baby,” as detailed in the probable cause affidavit.
Urban and Ehlers now face charges of endangering the welfare of a minor and attempting to accept consideration for a minor’s waiver, according to Law and crime. Authorities say the couple even signed a contract to try to formalize the sale of the baby.
The contract supposedly said: “I, Darien Urban and Shalene Ehlers, will assign our rights to Cody Nathaniel Martin of our baby (redacted) for $1,000 on 09/21/2024. Disclaimer: After signing this, there will be no change of mind between the two of you and you will never contact each other again.”
The police too reportedly He obtained video footage showing Urban and Ehlers signing the contract with the man trying to buy the baby. The affidavit further states that Ehlers had previously approached another couple at the campground asking for beer. When they refused, a man named Ricky Crawford allegedly offered them beer in exchange for keeping the baby overnight.
According to the affidavit, Crawford was concerned about the baby’s well-being and agreed to temporarily remove him from Urban and Ehlers’ care. He provided them with several cans of beer in exchange for the baby and the diaper bag. Crawford then brought the baby to Martin in another trailer inside the camp. Urban and Ehlers then returned to the trailer and signed the contract with Martin and Crawford present.
A detective involved in the investigation stated in the affidavit: “Based on the totality of the investigation, it is believed that both Urban and Ehlers created a substantial risk of death or serious physical injury by initially abandoning their minor child with an obviously intoxicated man.” and finally with someone they didn’t know.”
The case has raised significant concerns about child welfare and parental responsibility, as the couple now faces legal repercussions for their actions.
