PARAGOULD, Ark. — A Paragould suspect is facing multiple felony charges following an investigation into allegations of sexual abuse involving a child, according to a probable cause affidavit.
Russell A. Hawkins Sr., 61, is charged with three counts of rape, Class Y felonies, stemming from allegations made by a juvenile family member.
The investigation began May 1, 2025, when the Arkansas Child Abuse Hotline and the Paragould Police Department received a report regarding alleged sexual abuse involving an 11-year-old girl. According to investigators, the allegations involved abuse that occurred over a period of several years while the child lived at a residence in Paragould.
Due to the family relocating out of state, the child was interviewed by an out-of-state forensic interviewer on May 13, 2025. Investigators reported the child provided detailed disclosures during that interview and identified Hawkins, a family member, as the alleged offender.
Law enforcement documents state the alleged abuse ended in August 2024, after the child was removed from the home. Investigators also noted the child had previously made a similar disclosure in May 2023 during a separate investigation in another county.
As part of the investigation, multiple follow-up interviews were conducted. A family member was interviewed in July 2025 and confirmed the child had disclosed the abuse after the family moved out of state, according to the affidavit.
On Nov. 19, 2025, the child was interviewed again by an Arkansas State Police Crimes Against Children Division investigator. Authorities reported the child’s disclosures during that interview were consistent with previous statements.
In February 2026, investigators interviewed the child’s grandmother, who confirmed the child had previously disclosed the abuse to her and corroborated multiple details provided during earlier interviews, according to the affidavit.
Based on the totality of the investigation, investigators stated there was probable cause to believe Hawkins committed the offenses.
Hawkins was taken into custody and later appeared before a judge. Bond was set at $1.5 million.
All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Graphic details in the affidavit have been withheld to protect the victim
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.
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