Arkansas Couple Sentenced for Attempting to Sell Infant Son for $1,000 and Beer at Campground

An Arkansas couple has been sentenced after pleading guilty to charges related to attempting to sell their infant son for $1,000 and a six-pack of beer at a local campground. The disturbing incident, which occurred in September 2024, highlights serious concerns about child endangerment and illegal adoption practices.

Details of the Incident

Darien Urban, 22, and Shalene Ehlers, 21, were at the Beaver Lake Hide-A-Way Campground in Rogers, Arkansas, when they allegedly attempted to transfer custody of their then-6-month-old son (reported as 2 months old in some affidavits) to a stranger.

According to court documents and affidavits obtained from multiple sources, the events unfolded as follows:

• Ehlers reportedly approached other campers asking for beer, a behavior witnesses described as frequent.
• An intoxicated man, Ricky Crawford, offered beer in exchange for keeping the baby overnight, and the parents agreed.
• Crawford then involved another camper, Cody Nathaniel Martin.
• The parents ultimately signed a handwritten contract with Martin, stating: "I, Darien Urban and Shalene Ehlers, are signing our rights over to [Cody Martin] of our baby for $1,000 on 9/21/24." The note included a disclaimer: "After signing this there will be no changing y’all two’s minds and to never contact again."
• Witnesses reported that the parents initially offered the child for a six-pack of beer before demanding $1,000.

A campground visitor alerted authorities using the manager's office phone, leading to the intervention by the Benton County Sheriff's Office. The child was safely recovered, and both parents were arrested on September 21, 2024.

Investigators noted that the parents created a "substantial risk of death or serious physical injury" by leaving the child with intoxicated individuals and strangers.

Sentencing Outcomes

In Benton County Circuit Court, presided over by Judge Brad Karren:

• Darien Urban pleaded guilty to one count of attempted acceptance of compensation for relinquishing rights for adoption (a felony). Prosecutors dropped an additional charge of endangering the welfare of a minor. He was sentenced to three years in the Arkansas Department of Corrections, followed by a three-year suspended sentence. Urban's stricter penalty may stem from prior convictions, including a 2023 guilty plea for theft by receiving stolen goods, which placed him on probation that was violated by this incident.
• Shalene Ehlers pleaded guilty to attempted acceptance of compensation for adoption and endangering the welfare of a minor. Her plea was deferred, and she received six years of state-supervised probation. If she successfully completes probation, she could avoid a permanent criminal record.

As part of both plea agreements, Urban and Ehlers are permanently prohibited from contacting their son, who is now a toddler and reportedly living in a stable adoptive home.

Legal Context and Implications

Under Arkansas law, accepting compensation for adoption or relinquishing parental rights is illegal outside of regulated processes, classified as a felony. Child endangerment charges further underscore the risks posed to the infant.

This case serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities faced by children in unstable environments and the importance of community vigilance. Authorities praised the quick actions of witnesses in preventing potential long-term harm.

Sources for this report include court records referenced in coverage by Law&Crime, The Daily Beast, and multiple local and national outlets reporting on the December 2025 sentencings.

Child welfare experts emphasize that legal adoptions must go through licensed agencies to ensure the safety and best interests of the child. Anyone suspecting child endangerment is urged to contact local authorities or child protective services immediately.

This story continues to raise awareness about parental responsibilities and the consequences of illegal actions involving minors.