JONESBORO, Ark. — Three individuals have been convicted for child abuse offenses in separate cases during July in Craighead County. The cases include two men who were found guilty of raping 13-year-old girls and a woman convicted of attempting to kill her 12-year-old daughter, as revealed by Prosecuting Attorney Sonia Hagood.
“The strength shown by the victims in these cases was remarkable,” Hagood stated. “Each endured unspeakable trauma and summoned the bravery to confront their abusers in court. Their courage has made these convictions possible and has helped keep predators off our streets.”
The first conviction was reached on July 8, when Christin Helms, 35, was found guilty of attempted murder and endangering the welfare of a minor. Prosecutors noted that Helms endangered her child’s life on March 9, 2021, by attempting to crash her vehicle into a tree along Arkansas Highway 163, injuring both herself and her daughter. She was subsequently sentenced to 30 years in prison for attempted murder and an additional six years for endangering her child.
On July 15, jurors convicted James Mansfield, 33, on four counts of rape. Authorities reported that Mansfield sexually assaulted a 13-year-old girl over the course of three weeks, during which he was entrusted to care for her. He received a total sentence of 40 years behind bars, with an additional five years due to the victim’s age.
The final conviction took place on July 24, when John Walton, 46, was found guilty on multiple charges, including rape and sexual indecency with a minor, involving another 13-year-old girl. Walton was sentenced to an extensive 1,302 months in the Arkansas Department of Corrections, which included enhancements related to the victim’s age.
“Children are society’s most vulnerable individuals,” Hagood emphasized, reaffirming the office’s commitment to being strong advocates for young victims. “We will continue our efforts to protect them from those who would harm them.”
She expressed gratitude to the investigators and deputy prosecutors for their unwavering dedication to these cases. “Thanks to their hard work, three dangerous individuals will no longer pose a threat to children in our community.”
This series of convictions highlights the ongoing legal battles to hold perpetrators accountable for crimes against minors, emphasizing the importance of supporting victims as they navigate the judicial process.
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