Additional Charges Filed, Second Arrest Made in Death of Four-Year-Old

The investigation into the death of a four-year-old child in Hempstead County has resulted in additional charges against the original suspect and the arrest of a second person.

According to an update from the Hempstead County Sheriff’s Office, James Ivey, 33, of Emmet, has now been charged with Capital Murder, Kidnapping, and Endangering the Welfare of a Minor.

Those charges are in addition to the charges previously filed against Ivey. He remains in custody at the Hempstead County Detention Center on a two-million-dollar bond from the previous charges and is awaiting his first court appearance on the new charges.

The sheriff’s office says the continued investigation, conducted by Hempstead County investigators and Arkansas State Police agents, also led to an additional arrest.

Tiffany Edwards, 28, the child’s mother, has been arrested and charged with Capital Murder, Kidnapping, Endangering the Welfare of a Minor, and Domestic Battery in the First Degree.

Edwards is being held at the Hempstead County Detention Center pending her first court appearance.

The child died August 30th at Arkansas Children’s Hospital from injuries sustained in an alleged abuse incident.

The sheriff’s office says investigators will continue working with Arkansas State Police and prosecuting authorities as the case develops, and additional charges could be filed as evidence is reviewed.

Because the investigation remains active, authorities are not releasing additional details about the evidence or circumstances surrounding the charges at this time.

Hempstead County deputies are scheduled to travel to North Little Rock Thursday to escort the child’s body from a mortuary to Lewis Funeral Home in Magnolia, which will handle funeral arrangements. Details of those arrangements will be announced later.