An Arkansas couple signed an insane contract in a twisted attempt to pawn their two-month-old baby to strangers at a campground for $1,000 and some beers.
Darien Tyler Urban, 21, and Shalene Faith Ehlers, 20, were trying to trade their son with a man they met Saturday at a campground near Beaver Lake when the manager called police. KNWA reports.
Officers arrived on scene and learned that the couple had signed a letter granting custody to a man named Cody Martin in exchange for a $1,000 check.
According to the Benton County Sheriff’s Office, the duo had previously passed their baby off to another man who was noticeably drunk over some beer.
The contract read: “I, Darien Urban and Shalene Ehlers, sign away our rights to [Martin] of our baby for $1,000 on 9/21/24.
‘Disclaimer: Once signed, you will not change your mind and will never be contacted again.’
Darien Urban, 21, and Shalene Ehlers, 20, were arrested for allegedly trying to sell their two-month-old son to a stranger for $1,000
The couple stayed at a campground near Beaver Lake, Arkansas
When officers arrived on the scene, Ehlers and Urban were nowhere to be found. according to 4029TV.
Officers then spoke to several witnesses, including Ricky Crawford, who they said “smelled heavily of alcohol,” slurred his words and had difficulty standing upright.
Crawford told officers he had previously approached the young couple and offered to take their baby overnight in exchange for a six-pack of beer, KNWA said.
Crawford also said he was “concerned for the welfare” of the child and took the child to Martin, who was staying in a camper.
Urban and Ehlers then went to Martin’s RV with an offer to sell the baby for $1,000. Kansas City Star reports: citing court documents.
Martin said Ehlers told him it was difficult for her to care for the child because of her pets, saying it “didn’t work having three dogs and a baby.”
Martin agreed to pay for the baby, but told the couple he wanted it in writing. So he drew up the rough contract for the couple to sign.
He also made a video of Urban and Ehlers signing the papers as additional evidence that they agreed, with the couple saying they planned to “legalize” the adoption that Monday.
But Martin didn’t have the money and told Urban and Ehlers he would bring them a check for $1,000 the next day.
Instead, Martin took the signed agreement to the campground manager and explained what had happened, prompting the manager to call 911.
When investigators finally found Ehlers and Urban, they asked the coupe if they knew where their child was, to which they replied that he was in the process of being adopted.
Another female deputy reported that the child “had a bad ammonia and fecal odor.”
She said she changed his diaper and noticed a “heavy rash, blisters and swelling on the baby’s buttocks and genitals.”
The couple was taken into custody and charged with endangering the welfare of a minor and attempting to provide quid pro quo for giving up a minor for adoption.
The woman also claimed that the diaper was also full of dog hair, and she gave the baby a bath.
“Urban and Ehlers created a substantial risk of death or serious bodily harm by first leaving their minor child with an obviously intoxicated man and ultimately with someone they did not know,” court documents say.
The couple was subsequently taken into custody and charged with endangering the welfare of a minor and attempting to negotiate compensation for giving up a minor for adoption.
Urban was released Tuesday on $5,000 bail, while Ehlers remained in custody on $30,000 bail, according to KNWA, which reports they both had criminal records.
Urban was previously convicted of two counts of theft by receiving in Bentonville in 2024, and a battery charge in Rogers in 2023.
At the time of his arrest, he was still serving three years of probation.
Ehlers, meanwhile, was arrested for shoplifting in Fayetteville in 2024.
Urban too last year created an online fundraiser He said he and Ehlers struggled after the birth of their first child, a daughter.
“My daughter Rosa was born on May 20, 2023 and I am super happy to be a father, but I get beat up every time I think life is starting to change,” it said.
“I’m trying to organize this fundraiser because we live in a motel now and it’s taking all my money from my wages from work. I work for Uber Eats.
“Any money we make from this will be used to get a better roof for my family.”
The fundraiser only netted the family $150.
It’s unclear what happened to the older child, but prosecutors say the baby is now in the care of the Arkansas Department of Human Service.