“Once you sign this, there will be no changing both of your minds and never contacting you again,” read a letter purportedly signed by the couple, Darien City and Shalene Ehlers, whose son was allegedly discovered with a “severe rash, blisters , and swelling in the buttocks and genitals.”
An Arkansas duo has been accused of trying to promote their son for a six-pack of beer and $1,000.
On Sunday, Darien City, 21, and Shalene Ehlers, 20, were arrested for endangering the welfare of a minor and attempting to accept consideration for the release of a minor, according to the Benton County Sheriff’s Office, put a possible trigger statement obtained by Legislation and Crime.
Laurel County Sheriff’s Office/Fb
Lady who tried to hire Hitman to kill the spouse of man she met on Match.com receives sentence
See story
Based on an affidavit, on September 21, authorities obtained a call from the Beaver Lake Disguise-A-Approach Campground supervisor’s workplace in Rogers, Arkansas, with the caller reporting that “the father and mother of a 2-month-old I tried to hand over the newborn for a 6-pack of beer and then wished $1,000 for the newborn.” The caller also alleged that the parents “wrote a letter” to the alleged adopter to provide them with “custody” of their child, who the caller said was “in need of medical care.”
The possible trigger document mentioned that authorities responded to the decision. Upon their arrival, authorities reportedly spoke to several witnesses. The affidavit also noted that the deputy discovered a “contract” signed by City and Ehlers during which they attempted to relinquish custody to a man named Cody Nathaniel Martin.
“I, Darien City and Shalene Ehlers, are assigning our rights to Cody Nathaniel Martin of our son (redacted) for $1,000 on 9/21/2024,” the letter read. “Disclaimer: Once you sign this, there will be no changing both of your minds and never contacting you again.”
Along with the letter, the deputy also allegedly found cell phone footage in which City and Ehlers could be seen signing the letter to Martin.
TikTok
JetBlue passenger strikes again as heated dispute with man who accuses her of ‘stealing’ cell phone charger goes viral
See story
However, according to the testimony, it was the beer bag that started the adoption attempt. According to authorities, a person at the camp, Ricky Crawford, visited City and Ehlers’ trailer and asked to see his son and provided beer. Crawford told police he requested the child because he was “involved in the newborn’s well-being.”
“He asked if he could have the baby overnight and provided City and Ehlers with several cans of beer in exchange,” the doctor discovered. “City and Ehlers agreed and gave the newborn along with a diaper bag to Crawford. He then introduced the newborn to Martin in another camp trailer. Ehlers and City then arrived at the same trailer and spoke with Martin and Crawford before signing the letter.”
Authorities said Martin — whom the detective wrote appeared “intimately intoxicated” during the interview — confessed to writing the letter for the couple to sign and, although he didn’t give them any money at the time, told her, “he was going to get a test of cash for $1,000 on Monday.”
According to the affidavit, authorities confronted City and Ehlers at the trailer they were staying in and asked about the location of their son.
“The city was asked where their son was. He spoke with Cody and that the newborn was present in the adoption process. Ehler(s) was asked where his son was. She told Crawford to stay the night,” the doctor found, adding that the couple was “detained and transported to the Benton County Sheriff’s Office for further investigation.”
Based on testimony, during City and Ehlers’ interviews, both shared “related accounts of events.”
Harris County Jail
Christian Academy Instructor Accused of Sexual Assault 5-12 Months – Outdated at Spouse’s Home Daycare: Police
See story
“They reported that Crawford had come to the trailer and asked to take the newborn for the night. They said they agreed and handed the newborn over to Crawford,” the doctor said. “They said they then mentioned it and went to the trailer where the newborn was and spoke to Martin. They said they offered to give the newborn to Martin in exchange for $1,000 in cash. They said Martin created an agreement that they videotaped to make sure it was authorized, and so they planned to “legalize” it on Monday. They each said they left knowing the newborn was given to Martin in exchange for $1,000 to be collected on Monday.
The doctor also said that the detective interviewed other witnesses who were present at the camp. Witnesses alleged that Ehlers visited the trailer owned by Jason and Felicia Ayers to order beer, with witnesses saying “this occurs repeatedly.” After the couple refused, Crawford allegedly provided City and Ehlers with beer if they could “let him keep the newborn for the night.” Based on the statement, Crawford left and returned with the newborn, who was wearing a diaper.
Ayers allegedly briefed authorities on the obvious dangerous condition the child was in.
“Felicia Ayers said the newborn had a foul odor of ammonia and feces and the diaper was full. She changed the newborn’s diaper and noticed severe rashes, blisters, and swelling on the newborn’s buttocks and genitals. She also noticed dog hair inside the newborn’s diaper,” the doctor said, noting that Ayers “provided photos showing the newborn’s rashes and blisters.”
Vermont State Police/Fb
Man covered in blood claimed he returned from a walk to three dead bodies; Now he is accused of murder
See story
Martin, the alleged “adopter,” said, according to the doctor, that Ehlers told her why she was open to giving up her son.
“Martin said he said it wasn’t working to have three dogs and a child,” the affidavit said.
According to authorities, Martin not only “created the document” but had Jason Ayers’ City and Ehlers sign the contract, before alerting the camp owner about the incident, with the supervisor calling 911.
City and Ehlers were arrested and charged, and their son was transported to a hospital.
“Based on the totality of the investigation, it is believed that each city and Ehler(s) created a substantial risk of death or serious bodily harm by abandoning their minor child initially with a clearly intoxicated man and ultimately with someone they did not knew. I don’t know,” read the statement.
Based on data from the Benton County Sheriff’s Office, both City and Ehlers were being held for $50,000. City was released on Monday, while Ehlers is still behind bars.
Laurel County Sheriff’s Office/Fb
Lady who tried to hire Hitman to kill the spouse of man she met on Match.com receives sentence
See story