Natural State law enforcement reports that an Arkansas couple attempted to exchange money and a 6-pack of beer for the 2-month-old son.
According to Benton County court documents, Darien Urban, 21, and Shalene Ehlers, 20, are charged with one count each of endangering the welfare of a minor and attempting to receive consideration for the minor’s relinquishment.
It was common awareness among the participants—and several others, according to the authorities—that alcohol and money were being sought for adoption.
According to an affidavit of probable cause filed in the case, on September 21, someone called the Benton County Sheriff’s Office from the manager’s office at Beaver Lake Hide-A-Way Campground in Rogers, reporting that the parents “tried to give up the baby for a 6-pack of beer and then wanted $1,000 for the baby.”
Approximately 200 miles northwest of Little Rock, Rogers is a sizable and quickly expanding city that was the first location of a Walmart store when it was still a tiny town. It is located just a few miles east of the Oklahoma border.
However, authorities claim that on the day in issue, there was much more illegal commerce taking place at the campground. And there was supposed to be a contract to support it.
“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.” according to the documents. “Disclaimer: After signing this there will be no changing yall two’s minds and to never contact again.”
A deputy referenced in the affidavit stated that numerous witnesses testified to the pseudo-adoption procedure. It is also said that the deputy was able to collect cell phone footage of Urban and Ehlers concluding the deal with the man who was going to purchase their child.
Officials claim that the beer itself served as the catalyst for the attempted sale.
The affidavit claims that Ehler went up to a different couple’s camper and asked them for beer, as she always does. The mother departed when the couple said no, but a man called Ricky Crawford volunteered to keep the kid overnight in exchange for beer.
According to the complaint, Crawford—whom investigators described as being quite drunk during his interview—said he was worried about the baby’s wellbeing and wanted to get him out of Urban and Ehler’s hands overnight. They reportedly consented to this.
“He asked if he could have the baby overnight and provided Urban and Ehlers with several cans of beer in exchange,” according to the affidavit. “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.”
Martin reportedly admitted to police that he was the one who drafted the agreement, that no money had actually changed hands as of yet, but that he would be giving the couple a $1,000 check on September 23.
“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,” a detective stated in the affidavit.
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Law enforcement claims that the couple was highly optimistic about the idea to sell their child after being Mirandized. According to law authorities, Martin claimed to have discussed the mother’s motivation for the possible deal with her.
The sheriff’s office claims that after learning about the deal, the campground’s owner phoned 911. The little kid was brought to a hospital after it was claimed he displayed signs of maltreatment.
Ehlers and Urban were both ordered to be jailed on a $50,000 bail. Records from the Benton County Sheriff’s Office indicate that the boy’s mother is still being held in custody, while his father appears to have been released since then.
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