Current:Home > InvestCouple reportedly tried to sell their baby for $1,000 and beer, Arkansas deputies say-LoTradeCoin
Couple reportedly tried to sell their baby for $1,000 and beer, Arkansas deputies say
View Date:2024-12-23 23:09:00
A Northwest Arkansas couple stands accused of trying to sell their baby boy for $1,000 and beer, court papers in the felony case show.
According to a Benton County Sheriff’s Office arrest affidavit, the crime took place at a campground in Rogers, where the baby and his 21-year-old father and his 20-year-old mother have lived for about three months.
Rogers is a city in The Ozarks near the Oklahoma and Missouri state lines.
USA TODAY is not naming the parents to protect the identity of the victim.
The baby's condition was not immediately known Thursday.
USA TODAY has reached out to the sheriff's office.
Affidavit: 'There will (be) no changing y’all two’s minds'
According to the affidavit obtained by USA TODAY, deputies responded to Beaver Lake Hide Away Campground Sept. 21 after someone in the manager's office called to report the couple attempted to give their baby up for money and beer.
The caller also alerted police the baby was in need of medical attention after several witnesses in the case observed rashes and blisters around the child's buttocks and genitals.
When deputies arrived, a detective wrote in the affidavit, the couple was not on scene, and the baby was transported to a children's hospital.
The affidavit goes onto state a witness told officers he went to the couple's camper, asked if he could have the baby overnight and gave the couple beers. The man told deputies the couple agreed, the affidavit continues, so he took the boy because he was concerned about the baby's welfare.
Another witness, a woman in the campground, the affidavit continues, took the baby, changed his diaper and bathed him. She also took photos of the blisters and rash to provide to authorities.
On scene, court documents continue, deputies obtained a letter the couple reportedly signed agreeing to give a man a cashier’s check for $1,000 on Monday for the child.
The deputy obtained the letter signed by the baby’s parents that read, “(Parents' names) are signing our rights over to (redacted) of our baby boy (redacted) for $1,000 on 09/21/2024. Disclaimer: After signing this there will (be) no changing y’all two’s minds and to never contact again.”
Mass LA shooting:5 women, 1 man shot during Los Angeles drive-by shooting; 3 suspects at large
Parents said they recorded themselves signing document to give up child
Cellphone video showing both parents signing the letter was obtained by detectives.
During an interview with detectives, the couple said their baby "was undergoing an adoption" and said they recorded it because they planned to legalize the adoption on Monday, the affidavit continues.
Deputies arrested the couple and booked them into the local jail on charges of felony endangering the welfare of a child and attempted relinquishment of a minor for adoption. A judge set their bond at $50,000 each.
Court and jail records showed both defendants were free Thursday.
The parents are due in court Oct. 29.
Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at [email protected] and follow her on X @nataliealund.
veryGood! (6)
Related
- Video ‘bares’ all: Insurers say bear that damaged luxury cars was actually a person in a costume
- A Tarot reading told her money was coming. A lottery ticket worth $500K was in her purse.
- Verizon Wireless class action settlement deadline is approaching. Here's how to join
- Hillary Clinton and Malala Yousafzai producing. An election coming. ‘Suffs’ has timing on its side
- Unexpected pairing: New documentary tells a heartwarming story between Vietnam enemies
- Laverne Cox Deserves a Perfect 10 for This Password Bonus Round
- Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Ham Sandwiches
- Emma Roberts Reveals the Valuable Gift She Took Back From Her Ex After They Split
- Full House Star Dave Coulier Shares Stage 3 Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma Diagnosis
- Convicted scammer who victims say claimed to be a psychic, Irish heiress faces extradition to UK
Ranking
- Gisele Bündchen Makes First Major Appearance Since Pregnancy
- Southern California city council gives a key approval for Disneyland expansion plan
- Olympic champion Suni Lee back in form after gaining 45 pounds in water weight due to kidney ailment
- No injuries when small plane lands in sprawling park in middle of Hawaii’s Waikiki tourist mecca
- Trump hammered Democrats on transgender issues. Now the party is at odds on a response
- Texas man accused of impersonating cop after reports say he tried to pull over deputies
- Introduction to GalaxyCoin
- Olympic champion Suni Lee back in form after gaining 45 pounds in water weight due to kidney ailment
Recommendation
-
Why Outer Banks Fans Think Costars Rudy Pankow and Madison Bailey Used Stunt Doubles Amid Rumored Rift
-
Arrest warrant issued for Pennsylvania State Representative Kevin Boyle, police say
-
'Shogun' star Anna Sawai discusses tragic Lady Mariko's power and passion in Episode 9
-
Boat full of decomposing corpses spotted by fishermen off Brazil coast
-
13 escaped monkeys still on the loose in South Carolina after 30 were recaptured
-
Riley Strain's Family Addresses Fraternity Brothers' Reaction to Him Going Missing
-
Supreme Court to hear biggest homeless rights case in decades. What both sides say.
-
Things to know as courts and legislatures act on transgender kids’ rights