Parents agreed to give their 2-month-old boy to an unknown man for the night in exchange for several cans of booze before signing a contract to sell the baby for a $1,000 check; arrested

Arkansas – In a chilling incident in Arkansas that has captured national attention, a young couple, a 21-year-old man, identified as D. Urban, and a 20-year-old woman, identified as S. Ehlers, face serious legal repercussions after attempting to trade their two-month-old son for the night for several cans of booze and later agreed to sell the boy for $1,000. This case has led to charges of endangering the welfare of a minor and attempting to accept consideration for relinquishment of a minor, according to court records.

The events leading to their arrest began on September 21, 2024, when a concerned individual used the phone at the campground’s manager’s office to alert the sheriff’s office. The caller reported witnessing the couple’s attempt to negotiate their infant son’s exchange, initially for beer and subsequently for money.

Authorities swiftly responded, uncovering a written agreement that starkly outlined the terms of this unthinkable exchange. The document, signed by both Urban and Ehlers, explicitly stated the transfer of parental rights over their son to a man identified as C. Martin for $1,000. The contract disturbingly noted that once signed, there was to be no reversal of decision or further contact. The couple believed that this agreement would legally transfer custody of their child.

Deputies at the scene gathered multiple witness accounts and even obtained video evidence of the couple signing the makeshift contract. The initial exchange involved Urban and Ehlers trading their son for beer to a man identified as R. Crawford, described in police affidavits as excessively intoxicated, who then passed the baby to Martin.

According to an affidavit of probable cause, Ehlers approached another couple asking for beer, a request she frequently made. When the couple declined, she left. Shortly after, Crawford offered beer to Urban and Ehlers in exchange for keeping the baby overnight. Believing this to be acceptable, they agreed and handed over their baby along with a diaper bag to Crawford in return for several cans of beer.

Crawford, who was reportedly heavily intoxicated, later told investigators that he was concerned about the baby’s welfare and wanted to get him out of Urban’s and Ehlers’ care for the night. He then took the baby to another camper at the campground occupied by Martin. Urban and Ehlers later went to Martin’s camper, where discussions about surrendering their parental rights took place.

Further investigation revealed the desperate circumstances leading to this decision, with Ehlers reportedly struggling with the demands of caring for a baby alongside three dogs. During interviews with law enforcement, Urban and Ehlers reportedly admitted to their plan to sell their child. They stated that they had agreed to give the baby to Martin in exchange for $1,000, which they planned to collect on September 23. They claimed they recorded the signing of the agreement to ensure it was legal and intended to “legalize” the arrangement on Monday.

The impromptu contract was allegedly Martin’s idea, aimed at providing a semblance of legality to the arrangement, with plans to formalize the agreement with a check payment scheduled for two days later.

The legal proceedings have moved swiftly. Both Urban and Ehlers were arrested and held on $50,000 bail. While Urban has since been released, Ehlers remains detained. The infant, showing signs of neglect, was promptly taken to a hospital for care and assessment.

The couple was apparently struggling to make ends meet. Last year, Urban created a GoFundMe page asking for assistance.

This case has not only highlighted the couple’s disregard for their parental responsibilities but also exposed broader societal issues concerning child welfare and the protection of minors. The local community and authorities have expressed profound disturbance over the incident, with widespread calls for stringent measures to prevent such cases in the future. The attempted sale of a child is an egregious crime that has understandably stirred deep emotions and a demand for justice within the community.