On 12/7/2017 at approximately 11:53 AM, Officers with the Benton Police Department responded to an address on Alcoa Road for a report of an unresponsive infant. Upon arriving, Officers requested Benton Police Department’s Criminal Investigation Division to respond due to suspected child abuse.
After a lengthy investigation between BNPD Detectives, Arkansas State Police Crimes Against Children, DHS and Children’s Hospital, it was determined the injuries the infant suffered were caused by extremely violent physical abuse. At the time of the abuse, the infant was being cared for by his father, Chris Ward (42 YOA) of Benton.
On 12/22/2017, Detectives were able to take Mr. Ward into custody without incident at his home. Mr. Ward is being charged with Battery 1st Degree, a Class Y Felony, as well as Endangering the Welfare of a Minor 1st Degree, a Class D Felony. This is an on-going investigation and other charges are possible as the investigation continues.
Anyone with information concerning this incident are encouraged to contact the Benton Police Department at 501-778-1171 or 501-315-TIPS. Individuals also may send us anonymous information to CRIMES (274637) with the keyword BNPD in the body of the text or go to www.crimereports.com to leave a tip. A crime tip can also be submitted via the official Benton Police Department app found on iTunes and Google Play.
Any suspects listed are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.Follow BNPD on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Benton-Police-Department/221829174560849