Parents Tried to Sell Their Baby at an Arkansas Campground

Strange Case Files
Feb 27
4 min read

A two month old baby, a handwritten “rights over” note, and a 911 call in Rogers, Arkansas.

Color realistic illustrated sketch based on a published booking photo showing Darien Urban and Shalene Ehlers side by side in front of a height chart. — Illustrated sketch based on a published booking photo of Darien Urban (left) and Shalene Ehlers (right) in the Benton County case.

The setting

On September 21, 2024, deputies with the Benton County Sheriff’s Office were called to a campground in Rogers, Arkansas after staff reported an alarming situation involving a two month old baby.

In official records, the location is described as Hide Away Campground. Public reporting has also referred to it as Beaver Lake Hide A Way Campground in Rogers.

What witnesses said happened

According to the probable cause affidavit, multiple people at the campground described a chain of events that unfolded over a short period of time.

A camper, Felicia Ayers, told investigators that Shalene Ehlers approached her and asked for beer, something Ayers said had happened before. Ayers said she refused.

Not long after that, another campground resident, Ricky Crawford, offered beer if he could take the baby for the night. Investigators noted in the affidavit that Crawford appeared heavily intoxicated when they later interviewed him. The affidavit states the baby and a diaper bag were handed over.

Crawford then brought the baby to another camper site where Cody Nathaniel Martin was present. From there, witnesses described an attempted handoff that became more formal, involving paperwork and a recorded signing.

The baby’s condition

The affidavit includes detailed observations from Felicia Ayers about the baby’s condition when the child was with her.

She reported a strong ammonia and fecal odor and a full diaper. She said she changed the diaper and observed a severe diaper rash with blisters and swelling. She reported taking photos to document what she was seeing. She also reported dog hair inside the diaper and said she bathed the baby.

These observations became part of the documented record describing the child’s condition during the incident.

The handwritten note

Investigators obtained a handwritten document signed by the parents.

In the affidavit, the note is described as stating that Darien Urban and Shalene Ehlers were signing their rights over to Cody Nathaniel Martin for $1,000 on 09/21/2024.

The affidavit also describes the note as including language that after signing, there would be no changing their minds and no contact again.

A witness also provided investigators with a cell phone video that, according to the affidavit, showed the parents signing paperwork with Martin.

The $1,000 demand and reported statements

The affidavit describes Ehlers returning to the campsite and speaking with Martin and Crawford. Investigators wrote that she said it was not working having three dogs and a baby, and that she would surrender the baby for $1,000.

The $1,000 amount is significant because it suggests a transaction rather than any lawful adoption or guardianship process.

The 911 call and law enforcement response

After the paperwork existed and the signing was recorded, the campground owner became aware of what happened and called 911.

Deputies responded. The affidavit indicates the baby was not left with the parents when law enforcement arrived. The baby was evaluated at Arkansas Children’s Hospital and later placed in Arkansas DHS care.

The charges

In the probable cause narrative, investigators stated they believed the parents created a substantial risk of death or serious physical injury by abandoning the child first with an obviously intoxicated adult and then with another adult they did not know.

The affidavit lists felony allegations including:

Endangering the welfare of a minor in the first degree

Attempted consideration for relinquishing a minor for adoption

Sentencing and current status

Public reporting later stated that both parents pleaded guilty, with different outcomes.

Reporting stated that Shalene Ehlers received six years of probation and was ordered to complete an evaluation at Ozark Guidance for potential alcohol or substance abuse issues.

Reporting also stated that Darien Urban was sentenced to three years in the Arkansas Department of Corrections.

Why this case stayed with people

This case is often reduced to a single headline about beer, but the official record describes something broader.

A two month old baby was passed between adults at a campground, a handwritten note tried to make the handoff feel permanent, and bystanders became the ones trying to protect the child until law enforcement intervened.

It is not an unsolved case. It is a documented moment where a baby’s safety depended on strangers choosing to step in.