A couple in Arkansas was arrested after allegedly attempting to sell their baby for a $1,000 and a six-pack of beer.
“Darien Urban, 21, and Shalene Ehlers, 20, face felony charges of endangering the welfare of a minor and attempting to accept compensation for relinquishment of a minor,” Fox News reports.
Authorities arrested the couple after a campground manager contacted the local sheriff’s department to report an incident.
An Arkansas couple was arrested after they tried to sell their 2 month old baby for a 6 pack of beer and $1,000! The manager of a campground called police after the couple made the offer to her. They even filled out a letter granting custody!https://t.co/5Fg9vnDiZe
— Robbie Mouton (@mcgmouton57) September 28, 2024
Fox News reports:
The Benton County Sheriff’s Office said it received a call on Sept. 21 from the manager of the Hide Away Campground reporting that 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 pair signed a letter granting custody of their child before handing the boy over to someone else, and even included a disclaimer that the child could not be returned.
“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,” the letter reads. “Disclaimer: After signing this there will be no changing yall two’s minds and to never contact again.”
Multiple witnesses corroborated the attempted adoption, according to the affidavit.
Couple tried to sell baby for a 6-pack of beer and $1,000 at campground, police say https://t.co/ooXpIkRQZH pic.twitter.com/KZ7205jHdx
— The Independent (@Independent) September 27, 2024
Insane contract signed by Arkansas couple who tried to sell their two-month-old baby boy to a stranger for $1,000 and six-pack of beer https://t.co/RcbVwEk0Fw pic.twitter.com/LuaHlIijBy
— Daily Mail Online (@MailOnline) September 27, 2024
Per CBS News:
Responding troopers found the baby needed medical attention and called emergency medical services, who took the infant to a local hospital for evaluation. The child is now in the care of the Arkansas Department of Human Services.
According to the affidavit, multiple witnesses corroborated the attempted adoption. A deputy also reportedly obtained a cellphone video of Urban and Ehlers signing the contract with the man trying to purchase the baby.
Witnesses reported that a resident of the campground, identified in the affidavit as Ricky Crawford, had earlier in the day visited Urban and Ehlers and offered to take the baby for the night in exchange for several cans of beer, WREG reported.
Crawford, who appeared heavily intoxicated, confirmed that he had taken the baby from the couple and brought the infant to Martin.
WATCH:
This is a Guest Post from our friends over at 100 Percent Fed Up.
Join the conversation!
Please share your thoughts about this article below. We value your opinions, and would love to see you add to the discussion!