Son Arrested After 91-Year-Old Found Injured in Clay County Home, Authorities Say

KNOBEL, Ark. — A 71-year-old suspect was arrested Sunday after deputies found a 91-year-old man injured inside a Clay County home, according to a release from the Clay County Sheriff’s Office.

Deputies responded at approximately 8:41 p.m. on March 15, 2026, to a report of a domestic incident at a residence along Highway 90 in Knobel. Upon arrival, deputies were met by the complainant, identified as the grandson of the alleged victim.

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The complainant directed deputies to a bathroom, where 91-year-old Joe E. Dodd was found lying near a shower. Authorities said the suspect, identified as Joe Ray Dodd, was attempting to clean blood from the alleged victim.

Deputies removed the suspect from the bathroom and assisted medical personnel in transporting the alleged victim to an ambulance. While receiving care, the alleged victim told deputies and medical personnel that his son had assaulted him, according to the sheriff’s office.

Joe Ray Dodd, 71, was taken into custody at the scene and transported to the Clay County Detention Center. He was booked on a charge of first-degree domestic battery, a felony. District Judge Curtis Hitt set bond at $500,000.

The alleged victim was first transported to St. Bernards Medical Center in Jonesboro before being transferred to a Memphis hospital, where he remains in intensive care, authorities said.

While processing the scene, deputies reported finding multiple items with blood on them, including an oxygen tank. Those items were seized as evidence.

According to the sheriff’s office, deputies had previously responded to the residence in recent months to investigate possible abuse and had also accompanied Adult Protective Services on prior visits. During those earlier contacts, the alleged victim denied any abuse was occurring.

The investigation remains ongoing.

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