A Central Arkansas man has been arrested in Baxter County after purporting to play with a baby a 14-year-old girl was holding so he could inappropriately touch the girl. Forty-nine-year-old James Wade Payne of White Hall was arrested Tuesday morning for the incident that happened May 27.
According to the probable cause affidavit from the Baxter County Sheriff’s Office, the victim was holding her baby sibling while her mother was talking to a maintenance man who was doing work on their residence. When her mother went inside, Payne came over and acted like he was playing with the baby’s hand, but while holding the baby’s hand, he touched the victim inappropriately. This was witnessed by a neighbor.
Payne walked away and the witness went to get her phone so she could contact the girl’s mother. While the girl was alone, Payne came back and this time grabbed the baby’s foot, and while holding the baby’s foot, again inappropriately touched the victim.
Payne is charged with fourth degree sexual assault. He is being held in the Baxter County Detention Center with bond set at $5,000.
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