An Arkansas couple were arrested after allegedly trying to sell their baby for $1,000.
On Sept. 21 deputies from the Benton County Sheriff’s Office responded to a campground in Rogers after someone in the manager’s office called to report the 21-year-old father and 20-year-old mother, USA Today reported.
The caller alerted police the couple, who remain unidentified to protect the identity of the baby, was trying to give up their baby for money and beer, and that the baby was in need of medical attention after rashes and blisters could be seen around the child’s buttocks and genitals, according to the arrest affidavit
Deputies were also able to obtain cellphone video showing both parents signing the letter (
Benton County Sheriff’s Office)
When deputies arrived the couple was not on scene, and the baby was transported to a children’s hospital, the affidavit said. A witness told officers that he went into the couple’s camper and asked if he could have the baby overnight, and gave the couple some beer.
The couple agreed to leave the baby with him, so he took the baby boy because he was concerned about his welfare. A woman in the campground took the baby, changed, and bathed him. She also took photos of the blisters and rash to provide to authorities.
At the scene deputies found a letter the couple allegedly signed agreeing to give a man a cashier’s check for $1,000 for the child (
Benton County Sheriff’s Office)
At the scene deputies found a letter the couple allegedly signed agreeing to give a man a cashier’s check for $1,000 for the child, court documents said. The letter, signed by the baby’s parents, 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.”
Deputies were also able to obtain cellphone video showing both parents signing the letter. When interviewed by detectives the couple said they recorded the interaction because their baby “was undergoing an adoption” and they planned to legalize the adoption on Monday, the affidavit said.
The couple was arrested and charged with endangering the welfare of a child and attempted relinquishment of a minor for adoption. Their bond was set at $50,000 each.
The couple were free as of Thursday and are due back in court Oct. 29. The baby’s current condition is not known.