A White Hall man is in custody following a brief multi-agency manhunt Thursday morning after authorities say he abducted a woman and her child from an Arkadelphia home.
Arkadelphia police said the incident began around 8:30 a.m. Feb. 12 when a woman contacted the department after receiving a Ring doorbell notification that allegedly showed her daughter being assaulted outside a residence on Village Drive. Detectives obtained the video, which reportedly showed the woman and her juvenile son being forced from the home.
Investigators identified the suspect as Michael Earnest Sloan, 39, of White Hall. A “be on the lookout” alert was issued for Sloan, his vehicle and the two victims.
Authorities later learned Sloan has a relative in Garland County and notified law enforcement agencies in that area.
At approximately 10:05 a.m., Sloan was taken into custody in Garland County by Arkansas State Police and deputies with the Garland County Sheriff’s Office. The woman and her child were located safely, according to police.
Sloan was transported to the Clark County Detention Center on preliminary charges of kidnapping and domestic battery. Formal charges will be determined by 9th East Judicial District Prosecuting Attorney Dan Turner.
Arkadelphia Police Chief Jason “Shorty” Jackson said the outcome could have been far worse.
“We cannot express enough our relief that the victims are unharmed and were recovered safely,” Jackson said. He credited the coordinated efforts of Arkadelphia police, the Clark County Sheriff’s Office, the Garland County Sheriff’s Office, the Hot Springs Police Department and Arkansas State Police in bringing the situation to a swift resolution.
