Photo: Darrian Woodward
Three people have been taken into custody in Izard County following a report Sunday afternoon of a man being struck multiple times with a baseball bat. In a follow-up news release Monday afternoon, Izard County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Charley Melton said two of three are juveniles but have been charged as adults.
Melton says those charged are 18-year-old Darrian Charlesoneil Woodward and 17-year-old Isabel Alise Nolan, both of Melbourne, and 16-year-old Landon Reese Thomas of Horseshoe Bend.
They are each charged with Class B felony counts of residential burglary and battery in the first degree. Class B felonies carry a range of penalty of five to 20 years in prison and a $15,000 fine.
Melton says law enforcement arrived at a residence along Allen Street in Melbourne after receiving a call about 4:30.
In an earlier release, Melton said a female caller advised a male at her home had been hit in the head with a baseball bat.
Law enforcement arrived to find an injured 25-year-old male victim on the floor. In the updated news release, Melton said the responding officer noticed the victim’s head was in a blood-soaked towel and both his forearms and elbows appeared to be broken.
The victim said he had been asleep and was awakened by a man striking him on the back of his head with a baseball bat.
The victim said the man was wearing a mask, and when he moved to a corner, he was struck several more times. He also said the man pressed the barrel of a pistol against his forehead.
During this time, the victim said the female was taking items from the home and placing them in a backpack.
Emergency medical personnel arrived and transported the victim to Survival Flight waiting to transport him to UAMS.
A neighbor was able to provide a description of a male and female he had observed near the location.
Information was also obtained that Woodward was possibly connected to the burglary, after one of the deputies observed the 18-year-old near the area.
Investigators spoke with Woodward, who reportedly admitted to driving the juveniles to the location. He also provided officers with the names of the juveniles.
Woodward said the juveniles told him they had disposed of the bat and items taken from the home.
The juvenile suspects were transported to the Izard County Sheriff’s Office and questioned with their parents/guardian present.
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