Who is Jon Thompson? Arkansas homeowner arrested after cops rescue 5-year-old girl hidden in secret closet
TONTITOWN, ARKANSAS: Jon Thompson, a 40-year-old resident of Tontitown, Arkansas, now faces a series of criminal charges after police forcibly entered his home to rescue a terrified five-year-old girl hidden in a closet.
A dramatic video, captured by police bodycam, shows Thompson, clad in overalls and a hat, leading law enforcement officers to a closet within the home.
After meticulously removing obstructions blocking a concealed door, a five-year-old child emerged and was immediately taken into the custody of the Department of Human Services.
What are the charges against Jon Thompson?
Detective Keith Lindley, who was present during the operation, described the child as "very emotional when she came out and pretty scared. He had instructed her not to make a sound or reveal she was back there," USA Today reported.
The child, fortunately, emerged unharmed from the ordeal, but the incident has since sent shockwaves through the local community and law enforcement agencies.
Thompson now faces a litany of charges, including interference with custody, first-degree false imprisonment, endangering the welfare of a minor, and possession of body armor and drug paraphernalia, according to The Washington County Jail Intake.
What further compounds this shocking case is that, at the time of his arrest, Thompson was out on bond for unrelated charges from Benton County.
According to Detective Keith Lindley, "He was on bond in connection for a methamphetamine charge from our neighbor city to the north."
Jon Thompson's disputed custody claim complicates child welfare operation
The incident unfolded as Tontitown police were assisting Department of Human Services (DHS) officials in the custody of the child.
When they initially attempted to make contact with Thompson, he adamantly claimed that a judge had granted him custody of the child, refusing to open the front door and insisting that the five-year-old was not present at the residence.
After persistent efforts, Thompson eventually relented and confessed to the child's presence in the home. He led the officers to the closet, where sounds coming from behind the secret door had raised their suspicions.
The police found that Thompson had concealed the child behind a board that had been securely nailed into the wall. Photographs from the scene show a small compartment with open insulation where the child had been hidden.
Thompson was booked at the Washington County Jail on Friday, November 3, but was released on Monday after posting a $5,000 bond.
His next court appearance is scheduled for December 4, when more details about the case are expected to emerge, shedding light on the motivations behind this troubling incident.