A young Arkansas couple is to stand trial for aggravated child endangerment. According to the indictment, Darien Urban and Shalene Ehlers tried to sell their baby for $1,000 and a six-pack of beer.
According to the TV station “WREG,” a campground manager alerted the Benton County Sheriff’s Department. The man told the director that a young couple showed up with their two-month-old baby and left the child in the care of a drunken resident named Ricky Crawford.
Baby left drunk
During his interrogation, the ‘heavily drunk’ Crawford stated that he had given the parents ‘a few bottles of beer’ so that they would leave the baby with him: ‘I was looking after the well-being of the little one.’
“Purchase agreement” drawn up
The next morning the parents returned and offered the child for sale to a second resident of the campsite, Cody Martin. He agreed and even drew up a purchase agreement. According to police, it read: “We, Darien Urban and Shalene Ehlers, are transferring the rights to our little boys to Cody Nathaniel Martin for $1,000.”
“Transaction” recorded with video camera
Additionally, it was noted: “After signing this letter, the transaction can no longer be withdrawn. We never want to be contacted again.” Martin captured the “negotiation” on video camera and stated that he asked the mother why she didn’t want her child anymore: “She said she already had three dogs and ‘That doesn’t work.’ with the baby.”
Baby was immediately taken to the hospital
According to the police report, the baby was in such poor physical condition that he was immediately taken to hospital by ambulance: “The child was malnourished, had feces all over his body and a severe rash with blisters and swelling on his buttocks and back. .”
There is a risk of twelve years in prison
Urban (21) and Ehlers (20) were arrested. While the child’s father is out on $50,000 bail awaiting trial, the mother remains in custody at the Benton County Jail. She is unable to pay her $30,000 bail. If convicted, the Raven parents face a maximum prison sentence of up to 12 years. The baby was released into the care of the Arkansas State Department of Children and Youth Services.
Source: Krone
I am an experienced and passionate journalist with a strong track record in news website reporting. I specialize in technology coverage, breaking stories on the latest developments and trends from around the world. Working for Today Times Live has given me the opportunity to write thought-provoking pieces that have caught the attention of many readers.
