81-Year-Old Arrested for Felony Permitting Abuse of Minor

GREENE COUNTY, Ark. – A woman has been arrested on a felony charge after police say she was notified by a minor of multiple instances of sexual abuse and allowed the abuse to continue.

Carrie Howard, 81, is facing a charge of permitting the abuse of a minor, a Class B felony.

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The Greene County Sheriff’s Office began an investigation into the reported rape of a minor on November 28. During the investigation, the child disclosed multiple instances of violation occurring since October 2021. The minor had earlier informed their mother about the incidents during the summer of this year, and the mother subsequently informed Carrie Howard, the guardian.

Instead of taking appropriate action or alerting authorities, the probable cause affidavit reveals that Howard admitted to allowing the accused individual to return to the minor’s vicinity, despite believing the minor’s account. Her response was limited to “keeping an eye” on the individual while present in the home.

Tragically, two additional incidents of sexual crimes took place after Howard was informed. One of the incidents was classified as second-degree sexual assault, while the other was characterized as rape.

During her interview with Greene County authorities on November 28, Howard confessed to being informed three months prior and expressed belief in the minor’s account, the affidavit says. She acknowledged allowing the suspect to remain in proximity to the minor and admitted to witnessing the offender leaving the victim’s bedroom on multiple occasions.

Howard was arrested on December 1, and Judge Dan Stidham found probable cause to hold her on the felony charge of permitting the abuse of a minor. A $25,000 cash-only bond was set for her release, with strict conditions barring any contact with witnesses or the victim.

Sheriff Brad Snyder said Howard’s arrest stems from the investigation into this case:

Suspected Repeat Offender Faces Charges of Sexual Assault and Rape