A shocking case unfolding in Arkansas has captivated headlines and raised serious concerns about child endangerment. In September 2024, Darien Urban, 22, and Shalene Ehlers, 21, were arrested following a tip-off regarding a custody agreement involving their newborn baby. The agreement, shockingly, involved transferring custody to Cody Martin at the Beaver Lake Hide-A-Way Campground in exchange for $1,000 and a selection of beer.
Court records reveal a written and signed contract outlining the bizarre arrangement: “I, Darien Urban and Shalene Ehlers, are signing our rights over to [Cody Martin] of our baby for $1,000 on 9/21/24.”
A witness, using a phone in the campground manager’s office, alerted authorities to the situation. The couple’s intentions triggered immediate intervention by the Benton County Sheriff’s Office.
Darien Urban has pleaded guilty to attempted accepting compensation for adoption, while prosecutors dropped one count of endangering the welfare of a minor. Shalene Ehlers accepted responsibility for both counts of endangering the welfare of a minor and attempting to accept consideration for relinquishment of a minor. Judge sentenced Ehlers to six-year state-supervised probation.
This incident underscores the gravity of potential child abandonment and the critical role of vigilant oversight. Authorities are continuing their investigation to fully understand the circumstances surrounding the agreement and ensure the child’s well-being. The case serves as a stark reminder of the serious consequences associated with jeopardizing a child’s future.
