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: Endangering Welfare of a Minor Arrest

Texarkana Arkansas Police Officers arrested a local man for Endangering the Welfare of a Minor after the suspect's 2 year old daughter was found wandering unattended in the parking lot of a convenience store.

The child, a 2 year old female, was left in the care of her father, Craig Henderson (w/m/23 Texarkana, AR). During the course of investigation officers discovered that the child's mother had left her in the care of her father approximately 30 minutes prior to the child being located in the parking lot. During that time the suspect reportedly fell asleep on the couch and was not aware that the child had opened the screen door and exited the residence.

The child walked almost 2 blocks to the E-Z Mart at 3920 Jefferson and was located in the parking lot by a customer who had pulled in to get gas. As officers were on scene questioning witnesses the child's mother arrived at the store looking for her. The child's mother had returned home and found that her daughter was missing and began searching the area.

Officers went to the residence and questioned the suspect who then advised that he had fallen alseep. The suspect was arrested and booked into the Bi-State Jail for Endangering the Welfare of a Minor. The charge is a misdemeanor and a bond of $530.00 was set. The suspect is awaiting a first appearance in court.

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