Couple Tried to Sell Baby Boy for 6-Pack of Beer in Shocking Deal with Signed Contract
(Image: Benton County Sheriff’s Office)
A young couple in Arkansas faces charges after allegedly attempting 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 campground used the manager’s office phone 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 affidavit of probable cause.
Urban and Ehlers now face charges of endangering the welfare of a minor and attempting to accept consideration for the relinquishment of a minor, according to Law & Crime. Authorities claim the couple even signed a contract attempting to formalize the sale of the baby.
The contract allegedly read: “I, Darien Urban and Shalene Ehlers, are signing our rights over to Cody Nathaniel Martin of our baby boy [redacted] for $1,000 on 09/21/2024. Disclaimer: After signing this, there will be no changing y’all two’s minds and to never contact again.”
Police also reportedly obtained video footage showing Urban and Ehlers signing the contract with the man attempting to buy the baby. The affidavit further claims Ehlers had previously approached another couple at the campground, asking for beer. When they declined, a man named Ricky Crawford allegedly offered them beer in exchange for keeping the baby overnight.
According to the affidavit, Crawford was concerned for the baby’s well-being and agreed to take the infant out of Urban’s and Ehlers’ care temporarily. He provided them with several cans of beer in exchange for the baby and the diaper bag. Crawford then brought the baby to Martin at another camper within the campground. Urban and Ehlers later returned to the camper 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 both Urban and Ehlers created a substantial risk of death or serious physical injury by abandoning their minor child initially with an obviously intoxicated male and ultimately with someone they did not know.”
The case has raised significant concerns about child welfare and parental responsibility, as the couple now faces legal repercussions for their actions.
