US couple arrested for allegedly selling their baby for cans of beer and $1,000

A US couple from the state of Arkansashas been charged after they attempted to sell their baby boy for $1,000 and cans of beer, according to the filed court documents. The parents, identified asDarien Urban (21) and Shalene Ehlers (20), signed a letter granting custody of their kid and handed him off to another person.

Both Urban and Ehlers were arrested by the Benton County Sheriff's Office earlier this month. They are facing felony charges of endangering the welfare of a minor and attempting to negotiate therelinquishment of a minor for adoption.

Detective Wes Grube, who is leading the investigation, said the couple self-wrote the twisted contract letter with a“no changing ya’lls mind" clause.

“I, Darien Urban and Shalene Ehlers, are signing our rights over to [Cody Martin] of our baby for $1,000 on 9/21/24," read the letter.

“After signing this there will be no changing y’all two’s minds and to never contact again," it added.

Notably, the arrest took place after the Hide Away Campground manager contacted law enforcement agencies to report that the couple was attempting to sell their baby to a resident onsite, identified as Ricky Crawford.

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Court documents state thatCrawford had earlier visited Urban and Ehlers and offered to take the baby for the night in exchange for several cans of beer.

Crawford, heavily intoxicated and slurred in his speech, later told the cops that he took the baby from the duo, then gave him to Martin, who was staying in a camper onsite as he was “concerned about the welfare” of the child.

Urban and Ehlers approached Martin afterwards and offered to sell the baby for $1,000. Martin said although an agreement was drafted, no money was exchanged at the time.He stated that he would arrange for a cashier’s check for $1,000.

According to anaffidavit cited by WREG News Channel 3, another witness namedFelicia Ayers, noted a strong ammonia and fecal odour coming from the baby, who had a dirty diaper.

After changing the baby, she observed severe diaper rash, blisters and swelling, and documented the injuries with photographs.

This wasn't the couple's first rodeo with the law. Urban has a rap sheet which includestwo counts of felony theft receivedin Bentonville in 2024 and a misdemeanour domestic battery charge in Rogers in 2023.

Urban was still serving his three-year probation at the time of being detained. Meanwhile, Ehlers was arrested for misdemeanour shoplifting in Fayetteville in 2024.

(With inputs from agencies)