Suspect Arrested After Child Calls 911 During Jonesboro Domestic Disturbance

JONESBORO, Ark. — A Blytheville suspect was arrested after a child called 911 during a domestic disturbance in Jonesboro and said his stepfather was hurting his mother, according to a probable cause affidavit.

Jushaun Demadre Northern, 33, of Blytheville, was arrested May 10 after Jonesboro officers were dispatched around 2:16 a.m. to a domestic disturbance on Cartwright Street, the affidavit says.

Dispatch told officers a juvenile had called 911 and reported that his stepfather was hurting his mother and that “he does not want to die,” according to the affidavit.

When officers arrived in the area, they saw a black passenger car leaving the location. Because of the severity of the call and the vehicle leaving the immediate area, officers initiated contact with the vehicle, the affidavit says.

The driver was identified as Northern. During the stop, officers reported seeing him sweating profusely. When asked where he was coming from, Northern pointed toward a nearby set of apartments and said he was coming from Apartment 4, according to the affidavit.

Because Apartment 4 was associated with the 911 call, officers ordered Northern to exit the vehicle. The affidavit says Northern became argumentative, refused to comply, and fled in the vehicle.

Officers pursued the vehicle and reported seeing Northern run stop signs and drive at a high rate of speed. The pursuit ended on David Cove, where Northern stopped and surrendered, according to the affidavit.

Officers then made contact with the alleged victim, who said Northern, her ex-boyfriend, had attacked her twice. She told officers she was hosting a Mother’s Day party when Northern arrived. Other people at the residence were asleep and believed it may have been friends arriving, the affidavit says.

When the victim asked why he was there, Northern reportedly said it was “his house.” The affidavit says Northern then forced the door open, grabbed the victim, and dragged her upstairs.

Northern allegedly took the victim’s phone and demanded her password. After she entered the password incorrectly, Northern struck her in the face, according to the affidavit.

The victim’s son later woke up during the disturbance, and the victim could hear him crying. She asked Northern if she could check on him, and Northern briefly released her. When the victim entered the child’s room, she instructed him to call the police, the affidavit says.

Northern then entered the child’s room and dragged the victim back into her bedroom, according to the affidavit.

The victim later returned to the child’s room after Northern released her. During that time, Northern asked where the victim’s car keys were. Before leaving the residence, Northern allegedly took the victim’s phone, the child’s phone and the victim’s vehicle keys, the affidavit says.

Officers later recovered both phones from inside the vehicle and returned them to the victim. Officers also determined Northern was driving on a suspended driver’s license and had no proof of insurance, according to the affidavit.

The victim sustained scratches to her face and a cut lip as a result of the incident, the affidavit says.

Northern faces charges including aggravated residential burglary, a Class A felony; third-degree domestic battery, a Class A misdemeanor; theft of property valued at $25,000 or more but less than $50,000, a Class C felony; theft of $1,000 or less, a Class A misdemeanor; fleeing, a Class D felony; driving while license canceled, suspended or revoked; no proof of liability insurance; first-degree interference with emergency communication; obstructing governmental operations; and running a stop sign.

Bond was set at $150,000 cash or surety.

A Class A felony is punishable by six to 30 years in prison and a fine of up to $15,000.

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