(Photo courtesy of the Pope County Sheriff’s Office)
A couple jailed in Russellville for alleged child abuse is now facing additional charges, including attempted capital murder, according to court records.
39-year-old Chris Freeman, and his wife, 27-year-old Katelyn Freeman, were arrested after a police investigation into a 7-year-old boy who was admitted to Arkansas Children’s Hospital in critical condition on July 15. At the time, both were charged with first-degree battery and endangering the welfare of a minor.
The Freemans are now facing new charges filed Aug. 19, including one count of attempted capital murder, two additional counts of first-degree battery, two counts of kidnapping and one count of tampering with physical evidence.
Police said when the couple was first arrested, the investigation was ongoing and additional charges were possible.
The affidavit supporting the charges has been sealed, which is typical in cases involving juveniles.
The Freemans have two other children, a 5-year-old boy and a 3-year-old girl. None of the children have been identified by investigators or court records.
The 7-year-old was taken to Dardanelle Regional Medical Center by the Freemans on the morning of July 15 before being transferred to Arkansas Children’s Hospital.
Medical staff at the time described the child as “pale, limp and extremely underweight at just 28 pounds.” Authorities said doctors told investigators that after years of malnutrition, the boy was a “near fatality.” The child remains hospitalized.
Police officials said the Freemans admitted to investigators that they locked the boy in a closet and did not take him to a doctor “for fear of repercussions and embarrassment.”
“At that time, there was two other siblings, a five-year-old boy and a three-year-old girl,” Russellville Police Chief David Ewing said after the July arrest. “There is indications of malnourishment on one of them, not to the extreme as the seven-year-old.”
A spokesperson described the abuse at the home as “physical and mental torture.”
With the new charges, the Freemans’ first court appearance has been rescheduled for Sept. 29. They remain in custody with no bond listed.
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