A Baxter County man was arrested Saturday after allegedly trashing his relatives’ home, killing two pet birds and leaving threatening letters while they were out of town in August 2022, according to court documents.
Authorities say 45-year-old Donnie A. Wallis Jr. was staying at his brother-in-law’s home on County Road 227 to care for the property while the homeowners were away. The victims told deputies they had been concerned about Wallis’ behavior before leaving, alleging he had threatened to kill the entire family.
When the couple returned, they found the home “completely destroyed,” according to an affidavit. Threatening letters were left inside, including one pinned to a wall with a knife that also held the body of one of the birds. The victims said Wallis burned his belongings and other household items in a pile in the yard.
Deputies reported damage in every room, including smashed antique cookie jars, destroyed family photographs and military shadow boxes, broken furniture, and blood and an unknown fluid on floors and walls. The victims’ waterbed, wireless modem and closet contents were also destroyed.
In the room where Wallis had been staying, deputies found smashed bird cages, signs of a small fire in the bed, and what appeared to be the beginnings of an improvised explosive device made from shotgun shells and electrical wire.
Wallis appeared in Baxter County Circuit Court/Criminal Division Monday, and pled not guilty to charges of first-degree terroristic threatening, first-degree criminal mischief and cruelty to animals.
Wallis was denied a bond-reduction due to the seriousness of the allegations.
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