On December 7, 2017, about 11:53 AM, officers with the Benton Police Department (BNPD) responded to an address on Alcoa Road for a report of an unresponsive infant. Upon arriving, Officers requested BNPD’s Criminal Investigation Division (CID) to respond due to suspected child abuse.
After a lengthy investigation between BNPD Detectives, Arkansas State Police Crimes Against Children, Department of Human Services and Arkansas Children’s Hospital, it was determined the injuries the infant suffered were caused by extremely violent physical abuse. At the time of the abuse, the infant was being cared for by his father, Chris Ward, age 42, of Benton.
On December 22, detectives took Ward into custody at his home without incident. Ward will be charged with Battery 1st Degree, a Class Y Felony, as well as Endangering the Welfare of a Minor 1st Degree, a Class D Felony. This is an ongoing investigation and other charges are possible as the investigation continues.
Anyone with information concerning this incident are encouraged to contact the Benton Police Department at 501-778-1171 or 501-315-TIPS. Individuals also may send us anonymous information to CRIMES (274637) with the keyword BNPD in the body of the text or go to www.crimereports.com to leave a tip. A crime tip can also be submitted via the official Benton Police Department app found on iTunes and Google Play.
Any suspects listed are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
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