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2 months ago
14
A disturbed Arkansas couple tried to trade their 2-month-old for a six-pack of beer and $1,000, officials said.
Darien Urban, 21, and Shalene Ehlers, 20, allegedly offered up their newborn to a neighbor in exchange for the beer and cash after stating that taking care of 'three dogs and a baby' was too much, court documents show.
The couple first scoured the Beaver Lake Hide-A-Way Campground in Rogers, where they lived, for beers before deciding to hand their baby over to an intoxicated neighbor, Ricky Crawford, the documents say.
Crawford, who records show was concerned about the baby's welfare, requested to take the baby for the night in exchange for 'several beers.'
The couple agreed traded the the child and a diaper bag for the beer.
Darien Urban, 21, and Shalene Ehlers, 20, allegedly offered to trade their newborn for a six-pack of beer and $1,000 after claiming taking care of 'three dogs and a baby' was too much
The baby was in need of medical attention when Benton County officers arrived at the campground following a concerned call from its manager's office
Officers reported that Crawford 'smelled heavily of alcoholic beverage, his speech was slurred and he was unable to maintain his balance.'
After taking the 2-month-old, Crawford visited the camper of Cody Nathaniel Martin, 29, who agreed with Urban and Ehlers to take custody of the child. Martin allegedly drafted an 'adoption letter' stating his 'official rights' to the child.
The letter read: 'I Darien Urban and Shalene Ehlers are signing our rights over to Cody Nathaniel Martin of our baby boy for $1000 on 9/21/2024,' court documents show.
Both parents signed the letter, which included a disclaimer: 'After signing this there will be no changing y'all two's minds' asking to never be contacted again.'
When Benton County officers arrived at the campsite following a concerned call from the campground manager's office, they noticed the baby was in need of medical attention.
Urban and Ehlers both signed the letter, which included a disclaimer: 'After signing this there will be no changing y'all two's minds' asking to never be contacted again.' Pictured: Darien Urban via Facebook
Following investigation, the couple was charged with endangering the welfare of a minor and attempting to commit consideration for relinquishing a minor for adoption. Pictured: Shalene Ehlers via Facebook
Felicia Ayers, another resident of the campground, stated the child 'had a bad ammonia and fecal odor and the diaper was full.'
Ayers shared photos of a 'heavy rash, blisters and swelling of the baby's buttocks and genitals.'
Following investigation, the couple was charged with endangering the welfare of a minor and attempting to commit consideration for relinquishing a minor for adoption.
It was later revealed that Urban had previous arrests for theft and domestic battering in 2023. His bail is set at $50,000.
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