Arkansas man ordered held in death of son, 2

Terrell Carl Powell
Terrell Carl Powell

FORT SMITH -- A Sebastian County Circuit Court judge on Monday found there was probable cause to hold a 32-year-old man in the death of his 2-year-old son, according to the prosecuting attorney's office.

Terrell Carl Powell was being held without bail Monday after his arrest Saturday on a charge of first-degree domestic battery. Prosecuting Attorney Dan Shue said in a news release that no formal charges have been filed.

A probable-cause affidavit completed by police Detective Stephen Krumm said Powell admitted that he hit the toddler twice in the face and head with the back of his hand because the child would not stop crying and screaming when Powell was trying to sleep about 4 a.m. Saturday.

"Mr. Powell stated that he believes the injuries his son received were a direct result of him striking his 2-year-old child about the head and face with his hands," the affidavit said.

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The toddler continued to cry, Powell told police, so he picked up the child to comfort him until he quieted down and put him back into the crib.

A short time later, the affidavit said, Powell heard the child having a hard time breathing. He picked up the child again but the boy seemed lifeless. Powell carried the child around, bounced him, patted him on the back, rear and head, shook him to try to wake him up, put water in his mouth and tried to breathe into his mouth but the child remained unresponsive, according to the affidavit.

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When Powell's wife returned home from work about 6 a.m., she noticed something was wrong with the toddler and called 911, the affidavit said. The child was taken to Mercy Hospital Fort Smith, but doctors were unable to save him.

State Desk on 09/26/2017

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