Couple allegedly tried to sell their baby for $1,000 and beer
BENTON COUNTY, Ark. (Gray News) - A couple is accused of trying to sell their 2-month-old baby at a campground for beer and $1,000.
According to the Benton County Sheriff’s Office, authorities responded to the Hide Away Campground in Rogers, Arkansas, after a person reported Darien Urban, 21, and Shalene Ehlers, 20, tried to give their baby up for a six-pack of beer and then $1,000.
The caller reported that the baby appeared to need medical attention. The baby was taken to the hospital by emergency medical services.
According to an affidavit, the baby had been given to a man at the campground who asked if he could “have the baby overnight” in exchange for a six-pack of beer. The man, who appeared “heavily intoxicated” when he spoke to authorities, said that he was concerned about the welfare of the baby.
Ehlers allegedly told the man and another person that “it was not working having three dogs and a baby” and said she would surrender the baby for $1,000.
The other man created a letter for the couple to sign and told them he could give them a cashier’s check for $1,000 on Monday.
The responding officer obtained the letter signed by the baby’s parents that read, “I Darien Urban and Shalene Ehlers are signing our rights over to [redacted] of our baby boy [redacted] for $1,000 on 09/21/2024.”
The letter was signed by Urban and Ehlers and included a “disclaimer” that read, “Disclaimer: After signing this there will no changing y’all two’s minds and to never contact again.”
When authorities spoke with Urban and Ehlers, the couple said their baby was undergoing an adoption, according to an affidavit.
A cellphone video of Urban and Elhers signing the letter was obtained by authorities. The couple said they recorded it because they planned to “legalize” the adoption on Monday, according to the affidavit.
Witnesses told investigators that the baby had a “bad ammonia and fecal odor,” and that while changing their diaper they observed “heavy rash, blisters and swelling on the baby’s buttocks and genitals.”
Urban and Ehlers were both arrested and given a $50,000 bail. According to Benton County Sheriff’s Office records, Urban appears to have been released while Ehlers is still in custody.
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