Arkansas couple accused of trying to sell baby in Beaver Lake

A northwest Arkansas couple is accused of trying to sell their baby boy for $1,000 and beer, court records show in a felony case.

According to an affidavit from the Benton County Sheriff's Office, the crime occurred at a campground in Rogers, where the baby, his 21-year-old father and his 20-year-old mother have been living for about three months.

Rogers is a city in the Ozarks near the Oklahoma and Missouri state lines.

USA TODAY is not naming the parents to protect the victim's identity.

The baby's condition was not immediately known on Thursday.

USA TODAY has reached out to the sheriff's office.

Affidavit: “There will be no change in your mind”

According to the affidavit obtained by USA TODAY, officers responded to the Beaver Lake Hide Away Campground on Sept. 21 after someone called the manager's office to report that the couple was trying to give up their baby for money and beer.

The caller also alerted police that the baby needed medical attention after several witnesses in the case observed rashes and blisters around the child's buttocks and genitals.

When officers arrived, an investigator wrote in the affidavit, the couple was not at the scene and the baby was taken to a children's hospital.

The affidavit goes on to say a witness told officers he went to the couple's RV, asked if he could have the baby overnight and gave the couple beer. The man told officers that the couple had consented, the affidavit continues. That's why he took the boy with him because he was worried about the baby's well-being.

Another witness, a woman at the campground, the affidavit says, took the baby, changed its diaper and bathed it. She also took photos of the blisters and rash to provide to authorities.

At the scene, court documents say, officers received a letter the couple had reportedly signed agreeing to give a man a $1,000 cashier's check for the child on Monday.

The deputy received the letter signed by the baby's parents, which stated: “(Parents' names) are signing over our rights to (redacted) our baby boy (redacted) for $1,000 on 09/21/2024.” Disclaimer: Post Once signed, there will be no change in your mind and you will never contact us again.”

Mass shooting in LA:5 women and 1 man shot dead in drive-by shooting in Los Angeles; Three suspects at large

The parents said they recorded signing the document to surrender their child

The criminal police obtained a cell phone video that shows both parents signing the letter.

During an interview with investigators, the couple said their baby was “undergoing adoption” and that they recorded him because they planned to legalize the adoption on Monday, the affidavit continues.

Officers arrested the couple and took them to the local jail on felony charges of endangering the welfare of a child and attempted abandonment of a minor for adoption. A judge set bail at $50,000 for each.

Court and jail records showed both defendants were free Thursday.

The parents are due in court on October 29th.

Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at [email protected] and follow her on X @nataliealund.

Arkansas couple accused of trying to sell baby in Beaver Lake

Affidavit: “There will be no change in your mind”

You may also like...

Recent Posts

Arkansas couple accused of trying to sell baby in Beaver Lake

Affidavit: “There will be no change in your mind”

You may also like...

Man arrested after being seen kicking a dog in a viral social media video

With “Not My Job” guest Gary Oldman: NPR

Suspect charged in 1980 murder of University of Texas nursing student

Recent Posts