Arkansas couple tried to sell baby for beer and money, police say – NBC4 Washington

An Arkansas couple has been arrested and accused of trying to sell their 2-month-old baby for $1,000 and beer, officials say.

The boy's parents, Darien Urban, 21, and Shalene Ehlers, 20, were arrested by the Benton County Sheriff's Office on Sept. 21 and charged with endangering the welfare of a minor and attempting to negotiate the release of a minor for adoption. charged, NBC affiliate KARK reported.

According to court documents obtained by KARK, the manager of Hide Away Campground contacted police on September 21 to report an incident involving Urban and Ehlers.

Police then received a letter in which Urban and Ehlers had reportedly agreed to give custody of their child to a man in exchange for $1,000, according to the affidavit obtained by KARK.

The letter, signed by both parents, also included a disclaimer that said, “There will be no change in your mind and you will never make contact again,” KARK reported.

After signing the letter, the couple intended to drop off the baby the following Monday, according to the affidavit.

Investigators also discovered that earlier in the day, another campground resident had offered the couple to take the baby for the night in exchange for several cans of beer, according to court documents obtained by KARK.

Responding officers then determined that the baby required medical attention and called emergency medical services, who transported the child to a local hospital for evaluation. The couple was not present at the time.

Urban was arrested and released on $5,000 bail on September 24. Ehlers was arrested but remained in custody on $30,000 bail.