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

A US couple from the state of Arkansas have been charged after attempting to sell their baby boy for $1,000 and cans of beer, according to court documents filed. The parents, Darien Urban, 21, and Shalene Ehlers, 20, signed a letter granting custody of their child and gave him or her to someone else.

Both Urban and Ehlers were arrested by the Benton County Sheriff's Office earlier this month. You are charged with a felony for endangering the welfare of a minor and attempting to negotiate the release of a minor for adoption.

Detective Wes Grube, who is leading the investigation, said the couple wrote the twisted contract letter themselves, which included a “no change of mind” clause.

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

“After signing this, the two of you will not change your mind and will never contact us again,” it continued.

Notably, the arrest came after the manager of the Hide Away Campground contacted law enforcement to report that the couple was attempting to sell their baby to a local resident named Ricky Crawford.

Crawford, heavily intoxicated and slurring his speech, later told police that he took the baby away from the duo and then gave it to Martin, who was staying in a mobile home on the property, because he was “concerned for the well-being” of the child.

Urban and Ehlers then contacted Martin and offered to sell the baby for $1,000. Martin said although an agreement was worked out, no money had been exchanged at this time. He stated that he would obtain a cashier's check for $1,000.

According to an affidavit cited by WREG News Channel 3, another witness named Felicia Ayers noticed a strong odor of ammonia and feces emanating from the baby, who was wearing a dirty diaper.

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

This wasn't the couple's first rodeo with the law. Urban has a criminal record that includes two theft charges in Bentonville in 2024 and a domestic violence charge in Rogers in 2023.

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

(With contributions from agencies)