Midwest
Arkansas couple allegedly tried to sell baby for $1K, beer because caring for baby, 3 dogs 'was not working'
An Arkansas couple was arrested after allegedly attempting to sell their two-month-old baby to a man at a campground for $1,000 and a six-pack of beer.
Darien Urban, 21, and Shalene Ehlers, 20, face felony charges of endangering the welfare of a minor and attempting to accept compensation for relinquishment of a minor.
The Benton County Sheriff’s Office said it received a call on Sept. 21 from the manager of the Hide Away Campground reporting that the couple “tried to give up the baby for a 6-pack of beer and then wanted $1,000 for the baby,” according to an affidavit, WREG reported.
The pair signed a letter granting custody of their child before handing the boy over to someone else, and even included a disclaimer that the child could not be returned.
HONDURAN ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT CHARGED IN ALLEGED DUI CRASH THAT KILLED CHILDREN’S RESPIRATORY THERAPIST
Darien Urban, 21, and Shalene Ehlers, 20, face felony charges of endangering the welfare of a minor and attempting to accept compensation for relinquishment of a minor. (Darien Urban and Shalene Ehlers)
“I, Darien Urban and Shalene Ehlers are signing our rights over to Cody Nathaniel Martin of our baby boy [redacted] for $1,000 on 09/21/2024,” the letter reads. “Disclaimer: After signing this there will be no changing yall two’s minds and to never contact again.”
Multiple witnesses corroborated the attempted adoption, according to the affidavit.
The child was found in need of medical attention when a deputy arrived at the scene. The deputy called emergency medical services to transport the baby to a hospital for evaluation for signs of neglect. The child is in the care of the Arkansas Department of Human Services.
A witness said she discovered a strong ammonia and fecal odor coming from the baby, who had a dirty diaper. The witness changed the baby’s diaper and noticed severe diaper rash, blisters and swelling, which she took pictures of to document the injuries.
A deputy also reportedly obtained cellphone video of Urban and Ehlers signing the contract with the man attempting to purchase their baby, according to the affidavit, Law & Crime reported.
Witnesses reported that a resident of the campground, Ricky Crawford, had earlier visited Urban and Ehlers and offered to take the baby for the night in exchange for several cans of beer, according to court documents.
The pair allegedly signed a letter granting custody of their child before handing the boy over to someone else, and even included a disclaimer that the child could not be returned. (iStock)
This was after Ehler allegedly approached another couple’s camper and asked them for beer, as she often does. But when the couple declined, Crawford offered beer in exchange for keeping the baby overnight.
Crawford, who appeared heavily intoxicated during his interview with a deputy, said he was concerned about the baby’s well-being and wanted to take the child out of Urban’s and Ehler’s care for the night, an offer they agreed to.
“He asked if he could have the baby overnight and provided Urban and Ehlers with several cans of beer in exchange,” the affidavit reads. “Urban and Ehlers agreed and gave the baby along with a diaper bag to Crawford. He then brought the baby to Martin at another camper at the campground. Ehlers and Urban then came to the same camper and spoke to Martin and Crawford before signing the letter.”
“Based on the totality of the investigation, it is believed both Urban and Ehler created a substantial risk of death or serious physical injury by abandoning their minor child initially with an obviously intoxicated male and ultimately with someone they did not know,” the affidavit reads.
Martin told deputies he had drawn up the contract and while no money had been exchanged yet, he planned to bring the couple a $1,000 check on Sept. 23.
“[Urban and Ehlers] reported Crawford had come to the camper and requested to take the baby for the night,” according to the affidavit. “They stated they agreed and gave the baby to Crawford. They stated they then discussed it and went to the camper where the baby was and spoke to Martin.”
TENNESSEE PAIR CHARGED WITH CHILD ABUSE FOR LOCKING AUTISTIC CHILD IN STORAGE BIN AT UNSANITARY HOME
Multiple witnesses corroborated the attempted adoption. (iStock)
“They stated they offered to surrender the baby to Martin in exchange for $1,000 in cash,” it added. “They stated Martin created an agreement that they videotaped to ensure it was legal and they planned to ‘legalize’ it on Monday. They both stated they then left on the understanding the baby was given to Martin in exchange for $1,000 to be collected on Monday.”
Martin said he spoke to the mother about her reason for the potential surrendering of her child. “Martin stated she said it was not working having three dogs and a baby,” the affidavit reads.
Urban was released on a $50,000 bond while Ehlers remains in custody in the Benton County Jail on a $30,000 bail.
Last year, Urban created a GoFundMe in which he said he and Ehlers were struggling financially after the birth of their first child.
Read the full article from Here
North Dakota
Top prospect decommits from North Dakota, considering Michigan State
Recruiting never stops in the world of college hockey, and that trend has continued for Michigan State. A huge prospect has just re-opened his recruitment, and is back on the market, and the Spartans are in the thick of it.
Carson Pilgrim, a 5-foot-11 and 185 pound forward form Warroad (MN) has decommitted from North Dakota. The current Tri-City Storm star has the attention of many across the country, including MSU.
The Spartans have been listed alongside St. Cloud State and Colorado College as schools pursuing the top USHL prospect. He more than certainly will be donning a college sweater next year and Adam Nightingale wants it to be in the green and white.
Pilgrim has 16 goals and 19 assists in 42 games in the USHL this season.
Contact/Follow us @The SpartansWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Michigan State news, notes and opinion. You can also follow Cory Linsner on X @Rex_Linzy
Ohio
Two Ohio men arrested on drug charges in Raleigh County after traffic stop
BECKLEY, W.Va. (WCHS) — Two Ohio men were arrested in Raleigh County after police said they found a large amount of drugs during a traffic stop.
Andy Gray Jr., 44, and Cornell Stevenson, 54, both of Cleveland, Ohio, were arrested on drug charges following a traffic stop just after 1:30 a.m. Friday in the 1900 block of Harper Road for allegedly speeding, according to a news release from the Beckley Police Department.
Based on observations during the traffic stop, officers deployed a K-9 around the exterior of the vehicle which alerted to the presence of narcotics.
During a search of Gray, Stevenson and the vehicle, officers said they found 445 grams of fentanyl, a small amount of cocaine and $3,500 in cash. Police said the fentanyl has a street value of about $90,000.
Gray, the driver of the vehicle, was charged with obstructing an officer, conspiracy to commit a felony, fleeing on foot and possession with intent to deliver, according to jail records.
Stevenson was charged with possession with intent to deliver, conspiracy to commit a felony and possession of a controlled substance.
Both men are each being held on $75,000 bonds.
South Dakota
South Dakota: GFP Commission modifies bounty program – focuses on youth trapping and coyote removal
The South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks (GFP) Commission passed a resolution to end the current Nest Predator Bounty Program at their March meeting in Pierre and create two separate programs within the existing budget and time period.The Nest Predator Bounty Program began in 2019 with the implementation of the Second Century Initiative. This reinvigorated trapping as an outdoor recreational opportunity and a means to get youth engaged and spend more time outdoors.
Data collected from the program shows that the level of youth participation over the past 4 years has exceeded 30%. In 2024 and 2025, youth participation reached 46%.”The Nest Predator Bounty Program has been incredibly successful at engaging youth in wildlife management and our tradition of trapping in South Dakota,” said Kevin Robling, GFP Secretary.
In total, 342,743 nest predators were removed since the program’s inception.”Intense nest predator removal in localized areas during the nesting season can contribute to higher nest success and we encourage individuals to continue to participate in this management activity,” continued Robling. “In 2026, we are going to focus on continuing to get youth outdoors and addressing our coyote population.”
As part of this focus, the current Nest Predator Bounty Program is ending. The allocated $500,000 for this program will be split into two separate programs: the Youth Trapping Recruitment Program and the Coyote Bounty Program.
Youth Trapping Recruitment Program
The Youth Trapping Recruitment Program will be open for South Dakota youth age 17 and under. Tails from raccoon, striped skunk, badger, opossum, and red fox will be worth $10.The program will run from March 1-July 1, unless the $200,000 limit is reached first.”Youth recruitment and retention in trapping and wildlife management is a key component of this program,” said Robling. “We are thrilled with the amount of youth participation we have seen, so we want to continue this momentum.”
Coyote Bounty Program
The Coyote Bounty Program will be open for all South Dakota residents. Tails from coyotes will be worth $30.The program will run from April 1-July 1, unless the $300,000 limit is reached first.”Controlling the coyote population is critical for both our agricultural industry and wildlife populations,” stated Robling. “The newly created Coyote Bounty Program will assist in the management of these predators to help protect newborn calves and lambs for agricultural producers and enhance fawn survival for deer and antelope.”
Tail Submission Opportunities
Individuals wishing to participate in either of these programs may submit tails to their local GFP office during designated tail turn in opportunities. Households are eligible to submit up to $590 worth of tails in each program.
–South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks
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