True Crime Chronicles: The violent death of a Fort Smith one-year-old in 2022 led to five decades of prison terms

Jared Lee Ball

In January 2022, Jared Lee Ball, then 32, killed his girlfriend's 1-year-old daughter in Fort Smith..

Police responded to a 911 call on January 20 from an apartment in the 4100 block of North 50th Street. They found Ball with three children, including the unresponsive toddler, M.C.

She was taken to Mercy Hospital and pronounced dead at 9:09 a.m.The medical examiner ruled the death a homicide caused by multiple injuries. A forceful blow to the front of the chest lacerated the heart and caused fatal hemorrhage into the pericardial sac. Blue bruises on the ribcage matched violent shaking the previous day.

The examiner stated the heart injury could not result from a fall, a child rolling off a bed, or actions by a 5-year-old sibling.

Ball, the mother's boyfriend, was babysitting while she worked. The mother reported prior physical abuse by Ball, including punches to her ribcage and choking. One incident about seven weeks earlier left bruises; Ball allegedly threatened to kill her.

Investigators found nearly 40 grams of kratom (a Schedule I controlled substance in Arkansas) in his possession.

Prosecutors charged Ball with first-degree murder of a child under 14 (case 2022-94), third-degree domestic battering and aggravated assault on a family/household member (2022-92), possession of a controlled substance (2022-93), and criminal attempt to commit first-degree battery (2022-90).

All counts carried habitual offender enhancements due to his prior felony convictions.

Ball had six prior incarcerations with the Arkansas Department of Correction.

His record included drug offenses starting in Franklin County in 2008 (manufacturing/delivery/possession of a controlled substance, leading to probation), followed by revocation in 2009 for possessing a firearm as a felon and failure to appear (36 months in prison). Additional convictions followed, including breaking and entering/burglary in Franklin County in 2014 and domestic battery in Sebastian County.

Public details on his childhood, family, or education remain limited.On September 14, 2023, Sebastian County Circuit Court sentenced Ball as a habitual offender. He received 600 months (50 years) for murder, 600 months for attempted battery, 480 months for drug possession, and 180 months each for battering and assault. Sentences run concurrently, resulting in a 50-year term. His parole eligibility is January 19, 2072.

The case highlighted patterns of domestic violence and drug use in the household. The surviving children live with their mother, who faced no charges.

Ball remains incarcerated with recent prison disciplinary reports for infractions including battery on staff and threats.