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Fayetteville man arrested after death of baby

Benjamin Vinson was arrested last week after the death of a two-month-old.

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — A Fayetteville man has been arrested for battery and could potentially face other charges after an investigation into the death of a two-month-old. 

Benjamin Vinson, 43, was arrested in Fayetteville on Feb. 14. He's accused of first-degree domestic battering.

Washington County Prosecutor Matt Durrett told 5NEWS that Vinson was seen on video hitting the baby. 

"The sheriff's office is investigating the death. Mr. Vinson was arrested for Domestic Battery First Degree. He was seen on video striking the baby multiple times. The infant died sometime after that. A homicide charge is still possible. Investigators are waiting on the autopsy to see what the cause of death was," Durrett said. 

Prosecutors have not confirmed who the child belongs to. 

"The baby was two months old. The arrest happened at the sheriff's office a few days after the baby died. The battery occurred at a house where the child and his parents were staying," Durrett added. 

Chief Deputy Prosecutor Denis Dean spoke to 5NEWS about the case, offering new details on the incident.

Denis says that Vinson was one half of a homeless couple couch surfing in someone’s home. The homeowner had an in-home surveillance system, and the defendant was shown striking the baby off-and-on for 45 minutes because it was crying. 

Over time, the baby began to cry less and less. At one point, the surveillance footage shows Vinson on top of the baby, as the two were co-sleeping. Vinson was also shown putting a blanket over the baby’s head.

Denis says that Vinson is the father of the victim, and that the prosecutor's office is currently waiting on the autopsy from the state medical examiner. 

If the victim died from asphyxiation, prosecutors would have to reexamine the case. If the baby died from blunt force trauma, brain swelling or any other injuries related to Vinson allegedly striking it, then it will become a homicide. 

Dean believes that there is strong potential that this becomes a homicide case.

Vinson is being held on a $150,000 bond. He has a hearing set for March 6, 2024.

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