Darien Urban, 21, and Shalene Ehlers, 20, an Arkansas couple, have been accused of trying to sell their 2-month-old son for $1,000.
RELATED: Man Arrested After Allegedly Shooting His Wife During Child Drop-Off At Kansas Elementary School
Here’s What The Arkansas Couple Allegedly Tried To Do With Their 2-Month-Old Son
According to USA Today, Urban and Ehlers allegedly attempted to carry out their crime at Beaver Lake Hide Away Campground in Rogers, Arkansas, on September 21. The outlet notes that the pair reportedly lived there for about three months.
Per an arrest affidavit, a man went to the couple’s camper and asked if he could keep the child overnight. In exchange, the man offered to give the parents a few beers. The parents apparently agreed, and once the child was in the man’s custody, he and a woman took photos of blisters and rashes on the child.
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Amid the events, the infant’s parents reportedly penned a note, signing away their rights to the child. Per PEOPLE, the man had alleged he’d give the couple a $1,000 cashier’s check.
“[Parents’ names[ are signing our rights over to [redacted] of our baby boy [redacted] for $1,000 on 09/21/2024. Disclaimer: After signing this there will [be] no changing y’all two’s minds and to never contact again,” the note reportedly read, per USA Today.
According to the outlet, someone in the camp’s manager’s office called the police, reporting that the pair “attempted to give their baby up for money and beer.” Additionally, the caller requested medical care for the child.
What’s Next For Darien Urban And Shalene Ehlers?
Per USA Today, the 2-month-old was taken to a children’s hospital for treatment. The outlet reported that as of Thursday, September 26, his condition remained unclear. However, PEOPLE reports that he is in the care of the Arkansas Department of Human Services.
Meanwhile, Darien Urban and Shalene Ehlers reportedly told police their letter was to assist in their son’s adoption. Furthermore, the outlet reports that they were booked into a local jail.
Urban and Ehlers were reportedly charged with “felony endangering the welfare of a child and attempted relinquishment of a minor for adoption.”
Urban’s bond was reportedly set for $50,000. USA Today reports that he has since been released from custody. However, Ehlers appears to remain in jail on a five-figure bond amount, per PEOPLE.
Furthermore, they are both scheduled to appear in court on Tuesday, October 29, per USA Today.
Darien Urban, 21, & Shalene Ehlers, 20, of #Rogers, #Arkansas, have been arrested for allegedly attempting to sell their 2-month-old baby for $1,000 & a six-pack of beer
The couple is charged with endangering the welfare of a minor & attempting to relinquish a minor for adoption… pic.twitter.com/ziK9867vr6
— True Crime Updates (@TrueCrimeUpdat) September 26, 2024
An Indiana Father Was Convicted For Allegedly Letting THIS Happen To His Infant Son
The Arkansas couple is not the only parents to land themselves in hot water for the alleged treatment of their infant. As The Shade Room previously reported, earlier this month, David Schonabaum, a father in Indiana, was convicted of three counts of child neglect.
Additionally, Schonabaum was accused of subjecting his stepchildren and six-month-old son to unclean and unsanitary conditions in his home. Furthermore, authorities reportedly found his infant son “covered in blood” in his house and suffering from over 50 rat bites.
The children’s injuries were reportedly so severe that a prosecutor asserted he had allegedly been “permanently disfigured.”
