Charges filed against local woman for abuse of a toddler

Nashville police have arrested a local man on outstanding warrants.  45 year old Jamal Staves was taken into custody during an April 24th traffic stop by Officer Greg Parker.  In addition to the outstanding warrants, police say Staves was also found to be in possession of marijuana at the time of his arrest.  He continues to be held in the Howard County Jail & made a first appearance in court Wednesday.  Staves is expected back in court next week for an arraignment.

A Nashville woman has been arrested on battery charges involving a toddler.  Howard County Chief Deputy Joey Davis said 20-year-old Danielle Smith was arrested after a report was made to the Crimes Against Children division of the Arkansas State Police, in reference to possible abuse of a 4-month-old .  Deputies, along with officials from the Department of Human Services and the Arkansas State Police removed the child from the home April 26th.  The following day, authorities say they learned the child had been admitted to children’s hospital for treatment of injuries that are believed to have resulted from the abuse. 

Howard County Sheriff’s investigators Blake Eudy and Casey Parker, along with Chief Deputy Davis, interviewed the child’s parents. 

The Investigation led deputies to obtain probable cause to arrest Danielle Smith, who is the child’s mother.

Smith is being held on a $50,000 dollar bond.  She made her first appearance on the charges Wednesday in Howard County Circuit Court.

The execution of a search and seizure warrant this month has led to the arrest of a Nashville area resident.  44 year old Benjamin Vanfleet was taken into custody April 22nd when deputies carried out the warrant at a building on Hockaday Lane, occupied by Vanfleet.  Deputies say a search of the building led them to the recovery of suspected methamphetamine & various drug paraphernalia items.  Chief Deputy Joey Davis said deputies also seized other items that are believed to be linked to an ongoing investigation, also being conducted by the sheriff’s department. 

Vanfleet is being held in the Howard County Jail, pending the filing of formal charges by the prosecuting attorney.