Jonesboro Suspect Charged With Felony Domestic Battery After Welfare Check Involving Children

JONESBORO, Ark. — A Jonesboro man has been charged with felony domestic battery after police responded to a welfare concern involving injuries to two children.

Trey Michael Harper, 23, is charged with two counts of second-degree domestic battery, Class C felonies, according to a probable cause affidavit filed by the Jonesboro Police Department.

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Officers were dispatched Jan. 26 to a residence in reference to a welfare concern involving a juvenile who reportedly had extensive bruising. Officers initially spoke with several individuals at the residence, all of whom denied knowledge of any injuries.

After further conversation, the mother later told officers that her 23-month-old daughter may have been sexually assaulted and that her 7-year-old son had been physically assaulted. The mother reported the 7-year-old had two black eyes and bruising all over his body.

Officers took both children to a local hospital, where medical staff advised that the children should be transported to Arkansas Children’s Hospital in Little Rock. Officers made contact with a doctor at the Children’s Hospital, who reported the younger child showed no signs of sexual assault but did have two black eyes and bruising across her body. The doctor stated the injuries were not consistent with injuries the child could have caused herself.

The 7-year-old boy was also examined and found to have large bruises on his forehead and bruising across his chest, legs, back, buttocks and arms. The affidavit states the injuries were photographed on both children.

The children were later taken to the Crimes Against Children Division in Little Rock, where they were interviewed. Investigators observed the boy told interviewers that Harper caused the injuries. The boy reported Harper punched him in the face several times, punched him in the body and kicked him in the legs. The affidavit notes the boy’s injuries were consistent with the statements he provided.

Police reported the boy also stated Harper had hit his mother, but investigators did not observe injuries on her.

An arrest warrant was obtained for Harper, who was later arrested and transported to the Craighead County Detention Center.

Judge David Boling set Harper’s bond at $250,000 cash or surety.

All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

The Arkansas Child Abuse Hotline may be reached by calling 1-800-482-5964.

You can also chat online with crisis support at online.rainn.org.

More resources and information about RAINN can be viewed here.

The Family Crisis Center, Inc. is a local resource available to help if you’re in need.