The death of a 2-year-old child in Fort Smith has led to the arrest of a 32-year-old male on suspicion of Domestic Battery 1st Degree, according to the Fort Smith Police Department.
Terrell D. Powell, 32, of Fort Smith, was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center at 1:30 p.m. on Saturdy and charged on suspicion of 1st Degree Domestic Battery in the death of his son.
He is currently being held at the Sebastian County Detention Center without bond.
On Saturday, at approximately 7:15 a.m., Fort Smith Police responded to Mercy Hospital regarding a 2-year-old male brought to the emergency room by ambulance with suspicious injuries.
Upon officers arrival, they discovered the child had what appeared to be minor visible injuries to the left side of the face. Officers were also informed the child was suffering from bleeding of the brain.
The child was later pronounced deceased.
Preliminary investigations reveal the child / victim was at home with his father, Powell, and his 3-year-old sister. During the early morning hours, the father reported his son had been crying and having trouble sleeping.
He later told investigators the child appeared lethargic and wasn’t breathing normally. Rather than call EMS, he carried the child around the home and waited on the arrival of his wife who worked the night shift.
The mother of the child, Amanda Powell (28), arrived home just after 6 a.m. After the mother arrived home, EMS was called to the home located in the 9700 block of Haven Boulevard, and transported the child and mother to Mercy Hospital.
Investigators interviewed Terrell Powell, and at the conclusion of interviews, placed him under arrest on the charges.
The child’s body will be sent to the Arkansas State Crime Lab for an autopsy.
