On Thursday January 20 2022 at 8:18 a.m, Fort Smith Police responded to the 4100 block of North 50th Street regarding a one-year-old child not breathing. Prior to the arrival of officers, the child was transported by Fort Smith EMS to a local hospital and was later pronounced deceased.
Upon the arrival of officers, they located Jared Lee Ball, 32, at the residence with two other minor children. Detectives responded to the hospital and scene of the call to take over the investigation.
During the course of the investigation, it was discovered that the victim sustained injuries that were consistent with abuse. The victim was sent to the Arkansas State Crime Lab for an autopsy to determine the cause and manner of death. Detectives interviewed the victim’s mother who disclosed that Ball, her boyfriend, physically abused her on multiple occasions. Detectives learned that Ball had been previously convicted in Sebastian County for third degree domestic battery
Detectives then interviewed Ball regarding the victim’s death. At the conclusion of the interview, Ball was arrested for Domestic Battery 3rd (2nd Offense) with no bond per the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office and booked at the Sebastian County Jail. The domestic battery arrest was unrelated to the victim’s death. During the course of the death investigation, Detectives discovered that Ball had been in possession of 39.7 grams of Kratom and two glass pipes with residue.
Those items were seized to be sent off to the Arkansas State Crime Lab for analysis.
Detectives received the Medical Examiner Case feedback report on Tuesday, January 25 which listed the victim’s cause of death as “multiple injuries” and the manner of death as a “homicide.” On Wednesday January 26th, 2022, Detectives obtained warrants for the arrest of Jared Ball on the charges of Murder 1st Degree, two counts of being an Habitual Offender, Possession of Mitragynine 28-200 grams, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. The Sebastian County Sheriff's Office served Ball's arrest warrants as he remains in their custody.
You can read the redacted press release from the Sebastian County by clicking the following link:
If you or anyone you know is the victim of domestic violence, please contact us at 911 or 479-709-5000. You can also reach out to the Crisis Intervention Center 24 hours per day through their Crisis Hotline, 1-800-359-0056.
