A couple are accused of trying to sell their two-month-old son for a six-pack of beer and cash, authorities say.
Parents Darien Urban, 21, and Shalene Ehlers, 20, were reportedly allegedly an alcohol-fix on the night they offered up their baby for sale at the Beaver Lake Hide-A-Way Campground in Rogers, Arkansas. Reports claim a person went on to use the phone in the manager’s office to call Benton County Sheriff’s Office, reporting they "tried to give up the baby for a 6-pack of beer and then wanted $1,000 for the baby", according to an affidavit of probable cause.
Both are now charged with one count each of endangering the welfare of a minor and attempting to accept consideration for relinquishment of a minor, according to Law&Crime . The couple had also allegedly signed a contract to relinquish their rights over the baby.
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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 yall two’s minds and to never contact again."
Police also allegedly obtained cellular phone video of Urban and Ehlers signing the contract with the man allegedly attempting to purchase the baby. Ehler had also allegedly approached another couple’s camper and asked them for beer, according to the affidavit.
When the couple declined, the mother left, but a man named Ricky Crawford offered beer in exchange for keeping the baby overnight.
Crawford allegedly said he was concerned about the baby’s welfare and wanted to get him out of Urban’s and Ehler’s hands overnight. The affidavit reads: "He asked if he could have the baby overnight and provided Urban and Ehlers with several cans of beer in exchange. Urban and Ehlers agreed and gave the baby along with a diaper bag to Crawford.
"He then brought the baby to Martin at another camper at the campground. Ehlers and Urban then came to the same camper and spoke to Martin and Crawford before signing the letter."
A detective wrote in the affidavit: "Based on the totality of the investigation, it is believed both Urban and Ehler 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."
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