Baby for Beer: Arkansas Parents Try To Sell Their Own Baby for $1,000 and Some Beer!
Young Arkansas parents face felony charges after allegedly trying to sell their baby for $1,000 and beer using a homemade contract. 🌐 #News #BentonvilleAR #Arkansas #Crime
BENTONVILLE, AR – In a heart-wrenching tale that blurs the lines between desperation and criminality, a young Arkansas couple’s attempt to sell their baby has shocked a small community and raised alarming questions about child welfare. The incident, which unfolded at a local campground, has left authorities scrambling to ensure the safety of the infant while grappling with the complex circumstances that led to this unprecedented situation.
Beer and a Baby: The Shocking ‘Adoption’ Deal
Darien Urban, 21, and Shalene Ehlers, 20, now face serious legal consequences after allegedly trying to exchange their baby for $1,000 and an unspecified amount of beer.
The couple’s actions came to light when a campground manager alerted local law enforcement, setting off a chain of events that would soon involve multiple parties and expose a disturbing makeshift adoption scheme.
Handwritten Horror: The DIY Baby-Selling Contract
According to court documents, Urban and Ehlers drafted a crude contract with a campground resident, Cody Martin. The handwritten agreement stated their intention to sign over their parental rights for the agreed sum, emphasizing there would be “no changing y’all two’s minds” once the document was signed.
The Benton County Sheriff’s Office swiftly intervened, arresting the couple on September 21. They now face felony charges of endangering a minor’s welfare and attempting to illegally relinquish a child for adoption. The gravity of these charges reflects the severity with which authorities view the alleged actions.
This incident didn’t occur in isolation. Prior to the attempted sale, another campground resident, Ricky Crawford, had reportedly offered to take the baby for a night in exchange for beer – an offer the parents allegedly accepted. Crawford later transferred the infant to Martin, citing concerns for the child’s well-being.
As the investigation unfolded, a complex web of interactions emerged. Martin allegedly agreed to the parents’ offer, drafting the contract that promised payment the following Monday. However, the campground manager’s timely intervention halted the transaction before any money changed hands.
From Fundraiser to Felony: Parents’ Desperate Descent
The case has shed light on the couple’s troubled history. Last year, Urban had created an online fundraiser, detailing financial struggles after the birth of their first child. The fundraiser painted a picture of a family living in motels, struggling to make ends meet with income from food delivery services.
While the baby boy is now under the care of the Arkansas Department of Human Services, questions remain about the couple’s other reported child, whose current status is unclear.
As the community grapples with the aftermath, our thoughts turn to the innocent child at the center of this tragedy, hoping for a future filled with love, stability, and the care every child deserves. May this incident spark crucial conversations about supporting struggling families and protecting society’s most defenseless members.
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