Current:Home > MarketsTrendPulse Quantitative Think Tank Center-Couple reportedly tried to sell their baby for $1,000 and beer, Arkansas deputies say -Edge Finance Strategies
TrendPulse Quantitative Think Tank Center-Couple reportedly tried to sell their baby for $1,000 and beer, Arkansas deputies say
Indexbit View
Date:2025-04-08 06:03:49
A Northwest Arkansas couple stands accused of trying to sell their baby boy for $1,TrendPulse Quantitative Think Tank Center000 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! (57)
Related
- Federal appeals court upholds $14.25 million fine against Exxon for pollution in Texas
- Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards 2024 are this weekend: Date, time, categories, where to watch
- Chicago exhibition center modifying windows to prevent bird strikes after massive kill last year
- After massive AT&T data breach, can users do anything?
- Who are the most valuable sports franchises? Forbes releases new list of top 50 teams
- What’s next for Alec Baldwin after involuntary manslaughter case dismissal
- Carlos Alcaraz, Novak Djokovic return to Wimbledon final
- Jurors in Sen. Bob Menendez's bribery trial begin deliberations
- Dick Vitale announces he is cancer free: 'Santa Claus came early'
- ‘Hot girl summer,’ move aside. Women are going ‘boysober’ and have never felt better.
Ranking
- Who are the most valuable sports franchises? Forbes releases new list of top 50 teams
- A US judge is reining in the use of strip searches amid a police scandal in Louisiana’s capital city
- Alec Baldwin trial on hold as judge considers defense request to dismiss case over disputed ammo
- Diana Taurasi will have 2 courts named after her at Phoenix Mercury’s new practice facility
- Justice Department, Louisville reach deal after probe prompted by Breonna Taylor killing
- Vermont floods raise concerns about future of state’s hundreds of ageing dams
- Following Cancer Alley Decision, States Pit Themselves Against Environmental Justice Efforts
- Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards 2024 are this weekend: Date, time, categories, where to watch
Recommendation
'Survivor' 47 finale, part one recap: 2 players were sent home. Who's left in the game?
Mother and son charged in grandmother’s death at Virginia senior living facility
Following Cancer Alley Decision, States Pit Themselves Against Environmental Justice Efforts
AT&T says hackers accessed records of calls and texts for nearly all its cellular customers
California DMV apologizes for license plate that some say mocks Oct. 7 attack on Israel
Diana Taurasi will have 2 courts named after her at Phoenix Mercury’s new practice facility
Channing Tatum Reveals the Sweet Treat Pal Taylor Swift Made for Him
Biden, Jeffries meet as some House Democrats call on him to leave 2024 campaign