“IT WAS JUST A DROWNING”!!! BELIEVE IT OR NOT, AUTHORITIES SAY 33-YEAR-OLD JAMES RICHARD IVEY SUBJECTED A FOUR-YEAR-OLD GIRL TO ELECTRICAL BURNS AND SEVERE VIOLENCE, LEAVING HER IN CRITICAL CONDITION AS HE FACES CAPITAL RAPE AND MUTILATION CHARGES.
On August 26, Hempstead County deputies were called to Southwest Arkansas Regional Hospital in Hope at about 7:45 p.m.
A 4-year-old girl had been transported to the medical facility directly from her home in Emmet.
The initial call to emergency services had been reported as a drowning.
Upon examining the young patient, attending doctors discovered extensive physical injuries across her body.
The four-year-old was found to have suffered electrical burns, lacerations and severe bruising.
Recognizing the severity of the trauma, physicians immediately arranged to transfer the child to Arkansas Children’s Hospital in Little Rock for a higher level of emergency care.
She remains hospitalized in critical condition.
But what was initially reported as an accidental drowning quickly turned into an active investigation into severe child abuse.
Hempstead County investigators and Arkansas State Police special agents were assigned to examine the girl’s injuries.
During the examination, investigators found physical evidence that the child had suffered serious violence.
On August 28, multiple law enforcement agencies coordinated to take a suspect into custody.
The arrest was carried out by the Hempstead County Sheriff’s Office, the Arkansas State Police Criminal Investigation Division and the U.S. Marshals Service.
Authorities arrested 33-year-old James Richard Ivey.
Ivey is accused of four felony offenses in connection with the alleged violence.
He faces one count of capital rape.
He faces one count of first-degree domestic battering.
He faces one count of unlawful female mutilation of a minor.
He is also charged with one count of first-degree terroristic threatening.
Following his arrest, Ivey remained inside the Hempstead County Detention Center.
He was booked into custody pending an initial court appearance.
No bond had been announced by officials at the time of the latest update.
And authorities confirmed that the criminal investigation into the matter remains active.
Law enforcement officials warned that additional charges could follow as more evidence in the case is examined.
Authorities have not publicly identified the four-year-old child.
Officials have not explained the nature of the relationship between the victim and Ivey.
The specific circumstances behind the initial drowning report have also not been released by investigators.
Additionally, authorities have not disclosed how long the alleged abuse continued before the child was hospitalized.
The Hempstead County Sheriff’s Office has asked anyone with information involving Ivey or the child’s injuries to contact investigators at 870-777-6727.
The charges are allegations and have not been proven in court.
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