Officer Chris Rankin

Public Information Officer

903-798-3187 (office) 903-260-0294 (pager)

903-824-4199 (cell) 903-798-3023 (fax)

Texarkana Arkansas Police Badge

Re: Child Abuse Arrest

Texarkana Arkansas Police Detectives have arrested a local couple in connection with a case of suspected child abuse that occurred last week.

On 4/18/07 officers responded to Trice Elementary School in reference to a report of possible child abuse. The school nurse had discovered severe bruising to the victim's thighs and buttocks after the student was unable to sit down in class during a testing session. It was later discovered that the student's arm had also been broken. Investigators also noted areas of older bruising on the victim which suggested that this activity has gone on in the past.

During the course of the investigation detectives learned that the child had been reprimanded at school and was later punished after arriving home. The victim advised detectives that the injuries occurred after multiple strikes took place with an object similar to a broom handle. The child attempted to reach back to prevent one of the strikes and upon doing so sustained injury which was later discovered to be a broken arm.

The child's guardian, Marteen Smith (b/f/40 Texarkana, AR), and her boyfriend Tilton Arnold (b/m/33 Texarkana, AR) were each arrested on charges of Battery 1st, Felony. Each of the suspects reportedly took part in striking the child with the object.

Each of the suspects has been transferred to the Miller County Jail for a bond hearing. The children in this case, the victim and a sibling, were removed from the custody of Smith and taken into DHS care. The case remains under investigation.

Thank you and you can visit the Texarkana Arkansas Police Department online at http://www.txkusa.org/arkpolice.