HUNTSVILLE, Ark. – Three adults were found dead and a baby was abducted from a home in Northeast Arkansas, but the child was found unharmed hours later and a suspect was arrested, authorities said Wednesday.
Sheriff’s deputies discovered the bodies Tuesday night at the home near Huntsville, Madison County, Arkansas state police said. Authorities concluded that the child was missing and state police troopers began to search for two vehicles spotted near the house earlier in the day.
One of the vehicles, a truck, was found abandoned, but soldiers caught up to the other vehicle, a van, just after 10 p.m. Tuesday along Interstate 30 near Benton, about 200 miles from Huntsville.
A passenger armed with a rifle exited the vehicle and began verbally challenging the troopers, state police said. Other troopers came in from behind and arrested Hunter Chenoweth, 22, of The Queen.
State police said the van’s driver was a 25-year-old woman, also from The Queen. The less than 1-year-old child was also in the van. Police said the woman was questioned and released.
State police identified the murder victims as Tami Lynn Chenoweth, 51; James Stanley McGhee, 59; and Cheyene Chenoweth, 26. Authorities said the arrested man and those killed were related, but they did not say how.
The child was placed with the Human Services Department.
Hunter Chenoweth was booked with the Washington County Detention Center on Wednesday. The prison records did not include a lawyer to speak on his behalf. State police say the formal charge will be determined by the Madison County district attorney.