Cops rescue five-year-old girl from inside closet in Arkansas home
Share and Follow

<!–

<!–

<!–<!–

<!–

<!–

<!–

Shocking video shows the moment Arkansas police tore up a close inside a home to find a five-year-old girl hiding inside – and now the homeowner faces a slew of criminal charges. 

Jon Thompson, 40, of Tontitown, Arkansas was arrested Friday after police came to his home the day before and rescued a child hidden in a closet.

Police bodycam video showed the man wearing overalls and a hat, leading police to a closet in the home.

After digging through items blocking the secret door, a small five-year-old child emerged and she was taken to the Department of Human Services.

‘She was very emotional when she came out and pretty scared. He had instructed her not to make a sound or reveal she was back there,’ Detective Keith Lindley told USA TODAY.

Tontitown Police Department body camera footage showed them rescuing a five-year-old girl from a secret closet compartment

Jon Thompson, 40, has been charged for interference with custody, first degree false imprisonment and endangering the welfare of a minor

Jon Thompson, 40, has been charged for interference with custody, first degree false imprisonment and endangering the welfare of a minor

Jon Thompson, 40, has been charged for interference with custody, first degree false imprisonment and endangering the welfare of a minor

The child was unharmed in the incident.  

The 40-year-old now faces charges of 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. 

Tontitown police were assisting DHS officials take custody of the child when they attempted to make contact with Thompson, reported KNWA.

The man claimed a judge had granted him custody of the child, refused to open the front door and told police the five-year-old was not at the residence.

Eventually, Thompson admitted the child was in the home and took police to the closet where officers said they heard noises coming from.

The suspect moved some boxes to reveal a board that had been nailed into the wall. Behind the board was a small compartment with open insulation, photos show.

Photos from the Tontitown Police Department show the small compartment with open insulation where the child was hidden

Photos from the Tontitown Police Department show the small compartment with open insulation where the child was hidden

Photos from the Tontitown Police Department show the small compartment with open insulation where the child was hidden 

Bodycam footage showed Thompson moving boxes in the closet and a large board nailed to the wall block the child in the compartment

Bodycam footage showed Thompson moving boxes in the closet and a large board nailed to the wall block the child in the compartment

Bodycam footage showed Thompson moving boxes in the closet and a large board nailed to the wall block the child in the compartment

At the time of his arrest Thompson was free on bond for unrelated charges out of Benton County.

 ‘He was on bond in connection for a methamphetamine charge from our neighbor city to the north,’ Lindley said.

He was booked at the Washington County Jail on Friday and was released on Monday when he posted a $5,000 bond.

Thompson’s next court date is scheduled for December 4. 

Share and Follow
You May Also Like
Boston cop would have 'taken a bullet' for Karen Read's officer boyfriend found dead on his property

Boston cop would have ‘taken a bullet’ for Karen Read’s officer boyfriend found dead on his property

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! The Boston police officer…
Bill Maher Slams TV Dads and “Performative Pussy-Hood” in Father’s Day Rant on ‘Real Time’: “Can’t the Pendulum Ever Land in the Middle?”

Bill Maher Criticizes Portrayal of TV Fathers and False Femininity on Father’s Day Speech on ‘Real Time’: “Why Can’t We Find a Balance?”

At its 700th episode mark, Real Time with Bill Maher celebrated the…
British tycoon Mike Lynch's sunken Bayesian superyacht raised towards surface ahead of final lift — 10 months after tragedy

Rescue Mission: British Tycoon Mike Lynch’s Sunken Superyacht Raised Closer to the Surface after 10 Month Tragedy

Salvage experts successfully hoisted Mike Lynch’s luxurious yacht from the seabed on…
What the explosive growth of 'blowout counties' means for U.S. politics

The significant rise of ‘blowout counties’ and its impact on U.S. politics

Look at a few national election results and it’s easy to think…
JK Rowling makes rare public appearance at Ascot with doctor husband

“Rare Public Appearance: JK Rowling Steps Out with Doctor Husband at Ascot”

JK Rowling and her husband made a rare public appearance today at…
'Mankeeping' is ruining dating for women who are tired of relationship burnout: ‘I’m not your therapist’

How ‘Mankeeping’ is Affecting Women in Dating: Escaping Relationship Burnout and Setting Boundaries

Turns out the real reason she’s not texting back might be because…
American B-2 stealth bombers 'are on the move'

B-2 Stealth Bombers are Active in the United States

There are reports indicating that deadly bombers, exclusively held by the US,…
Jonquel Jones' Liberty return timeline emerging after latest ankle injury

Schedule for Jonquel Jones’ return to the Liberty team is becoming clear following her most recent ankle injury.

A timeline is beginning to emerge for Jonquel Jones. The Liberty center…