Jonesboro, AR – (JonesboroRightNow.com) – A welfare check led to a Jonesboro man’s arrest after police said two children were found with extensive injuries.
According to an affidavit, on Jan. 26, Jonesboro police officers were sent to a home over a welfare concern for a young child, who had several bruises. Officers arrived and met several individuals who denied knowing anything about any injuries. After officers spoke with them for a while, the mother of the child began talking to officers.
The mother said her daughter had been hurt by her son, adding that the daughter had two black eyes and bruises all over her body. Both children were taken to a Little Rock hospital, but police said the doctor at the hospital told officers she didn’t believe the boy could have caused the injuries.
The son was taken to the Arkansas Crimes Against Children Division (CACD) in Little Rock for an interview. The affidavit said the son, who is under 10 years old, told investigators his mother and her boyfriend, 23-year-old Trey Michael Harper, caused the injuries. He described Harper punching him in the face and body and kicking his legs. Police noted his injuries were consistent with what he said happened.
“The boy also stated that Harper and his mother would beat him with a belt all over his body, and he has seen both of them also hit his little sister on her body,” the affidavit stated.
Harper was arrested Jan. 28, according to the online jail roster. He appeared before District Judge David Boling on Jan. 30, who found probable cause to charge him with second-degree domestic battering, a class C felony. Harper was also given an order to have no contact with the victims.
Harper is being held on a $250,000 cash/surety bond, awaiting his next court appearance, which is scheduled for Feb. 27.
