Continuance Granted in Murder Case of Man Accused of Killing Stepson

DE QUEEN — The man accused of killing his six-year-old stepson earlier this year has been granted another continuance in his case following a court appearance in Sevier County Circuit Court on Nov. 18.

Jesus Chavez-Arellano remains charged with first-degree murder in connection with the Jan. 27 death of his stepson. He has pleaded not guilty and continues to be held in the Sevier County Jail on a $250,000 bond. In addition to the bond, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has placed an immigration hold on him.

During the Nov. 18 hearing, the court approved a continuance in the case. Chavez-Arellano’s next pretrial hearing is now scheduled for April 9, 2026. If he maintains his not-guilty plea, a jury trial is set to begin April 26.

According to authorities, Chavez-Arellano was the only adult with the child between 6:45 a.m. and 2:32 p.m. on the day the boy was taken to Walker Pediatric Care in De Queen in an unresponsive condition. Despite life-saving efforts by clinic staff and emergency responders, the child was pronounced dead at Sevier County Medical Center at 3:15 p.m.

An autopsy performed by the Arkansas State Crime Lab determined the boy died from internal bleeding caused by multiple blunt force injuries to the abdomen.

The arrest followed an investigation by the De Queen Police Department. If convicted, Chavez-Arellano faces a potential sentence of 10 to 40 years in prison or life imprisonment.