On December 30, 2020, the Barling Police Department received a call from the Mulberry Police Department regarding a juvenile who had run away and was believed to be in Barling.
Officers arrived at a residence on H Street in Barling and located the juvenile who was then safely turned over to the custody of Mulberry Police Department.
While on scene, officers made contact with Jacob Stevens, age 27, of Barling. During the investigation into the runaway juvenile, evidence was obtained leading investigators to believe that the juvenile may have been sexually assaulted during their time with Stevens.
On the evening of December 30, 2020, Jacob Stevens was placed under arrest at the Barling Police Department for the following charges: sexual assault 2nd degree, and possession of explicit material. According to Barling Police Chief Darrell Spells, additional charges are possible.
