By: Ben Sawyers
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Fort Smith Police have arrested Jared Ball, 32, for the first-degree murder of a one-year-old child.
Thursday, Jan. 20, police responded to a call regarding a one-year-old not breathing. According to police, officers found Ball with two other minors at the scene. Before officers arrived, the child was transported to a local hospital where he was later pronounced dead.
Police say they discovered Kratom, an illegal opioid 13 times more potent than morphine, in Ball’s possession.
It was revealed that the victim had sustained “multiple injuries,” and the death was declared a homicide by officials at the Arkansas State Crime Lab.
Ball was arrested Wednesday, Jan. 26, after police obtained warrants for first-degree murder, drug possession and two counts of being a habitual offender.
Police urge any victims of domestic assault to reach out to the Crisis Intervention Center’s crisis hotline at 1-800-359-0056.