Man Accused in Death of Stepson Appears Again in Sevier County Court

DE QUEEN, Ark. – The man charged with the murder of his six-year-old stepson earlier this year appeared in Sevier County Circuit Court on Oct. 1, where a judge granted another continuance in the case.

Jesus Chavez-Arellano is reportedly facing a charge of first-degree murder in connection with the death of the child on Jan. 27. He has pleaded not guilty and remains in custody at the Sevier County Jail on a $250,000 bond. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has also placed an immigration hold on him.

Chavez-Arellano is next scheduled to appear in court on Nov. 20. If he maintains his plea, a jury trial is set to begin on Dec. 17.

According to investigators, Chavez-Arellano was the only adult present 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 efforts by clinic staff and emergency responders, the child was pronounced dead at Sevier County Medical Center at 3:15 p.m.

An autopsy conducted by the Arkansas State Crime Lab concluded the child died from internal bleeding caused by multiple blunt force injuries to the abdomen.

Chavez-Arellano was arrested following an investigation by the De Queen Police Department. If convicted, he faces a sentence ranging from 10 to 40 years in prison, or life imprisonment.