Authorities in Poinsett County have arrested two individuals following the tragic discovery of a deceased child in a home in Weiner, Arkansas.
Ridge Brandon Noel, 31, and Sharece MonQue Scott, 30, face charges of first-degree endangering the welfare of a minor, with additional charges expected to be filed later.
The incident unfolded when officers from the Weiner Police Department, alongside first responders from Weiner Fire & Rescue and deputies from the Poinsett County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO), responded to a report of an unresponsive child at a South Street residence. Upon arrival, the child was pronounced dead.
The investigation quickly identified Sharece MonQue Scott, the child’s mother, as a person of interest. She was not present at the scene and had reportedly left on a bicycle earlier. With aid from local citizens and law enforcement, Scott was located and apprehended at a Jonesboro motel early the following morning.
A search of the property led to the discovery of drugs, firearms—including a stolen weapon—and a marijuana cultivation operation. Ridge Brandon Noel was taken into custody at the residence.
The child’s remains were sent to the Arkansas State Crime Lab for a thorough examination to ascertain the cause and manner of death.
The investigation continues, with the potential for further charges being added as more information becomes available.
