BENTON COUNTY, ARKANSAS, Ark. — More information has been released on the four people who have been arrested in Benton County after a juvenile was missing for nearly three weeks.
The teen was reported missing on Sept. 11. By Sept. 21, a $25,000 reward was offered for the teen's safe return.
The 17-year-old was located safely on Sept. 30, according to the Benton County Sheriff's Office (BCSO).
BCSO said on Oct. 1 that the juvenile's return is the "result of a combined effort between the between the Benton County Sheriff’s Office, Springdale PD, Fayetteville PD, FBI, U.S. Marshals, National Child Protection Task Force, and the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children."
Kristen Tucker, 34, is accused of obstructing governmental operations, tampering with physical evidence, computer fraud, interference with custody, and contributing to the delinquency of a minor. Her bond was set at $100,000, and her next court appearance is scheduled for Nov. 4.
Riley Fix, 24, is accused of interference with custody and obstructing governmental operations. His bond was set at $50,000 and he was released on Oct. 3. His next court appearance is scheduled for Nov. 4.
Brynhildre Underwood, 30, is accused of interference with custody and computer fraud. Their bond was set at $50,000 and they were released on Oct. 3. Their next court appearance is scheduled for Nov. 4.
Michael Bennett-Spears was arrested days later and faces charges of interference with custody and computer fraud, according to BCSO. No bond has been set, and his next court appearance is on Nov. 12.
On Oct. 3, 5NEWS received redacted affidavits related to the arrests from the Benton County Prosecutor's Office.
The affidavits claim that on Sept. 12, BCSO received a report of a missing juvenile. Detectives contacted the father, who explained that his child had been missing from the night before.
The father told law enforcement that the juvenile went to school, then work, then to get their oil changed in Elm Springs, never arriving home that night. The affidavit said that on Sept. 10, the juvenile contacted a woman later identified as Tucker. BCSO interviewed Tucker who explained that she was a hairdresser in Rogers.
Tucker told BCSO that she got connected to the juvenile through work and told them not to run away amid issues at home, instead providing the name and number for a possible resource in Fayetteville. She claimed that she only spoke to the juvenile prior to their running away and denied any other involvement, the affidavit said.
Tucker explained that the juvenile wanted to do something and that their parents were not supportive of it, according to the affidavit.
The juvenile's last known location was on Sept. 11 in Fayetteville. On Sept. 17, the U.S. Marshals Service interviewed the hairdresser who connected the juvenile and Tucker, the affidavit said. On Sept. 17, Tucker was detained due to comments she allegedly made to a coworker that hinted at the juvenile's whereabouts.
Tucker's phone was searched in the following week and numerous communications to Underwood and Bennett-Spears were found regarding the juvenile.
The communications appeared to be in regard to finding the juvenile a support contact amid their attempt to run away. An email from the teen to Tucker included in the affidavit revealed plans to run away, possibly out of the state, and utilize a disguise and fake background information to remain hidden until they turned 18.
Court documents suggest that Bennett-Spears connected Tucker to Underwood, as present in the included communications.
Detectives later visited multiple potential addresses for Underwood in Fayetteville before finding their residence, the affidavit said. On Sept. 30, law enforcement, including the U.S. Marshals, went to the residence and located Fix, who denied that a female had visited the residence in recent weeks.
The house was searched, and the juvenile was located. The juvenile explained that Tucker introduced them to Underwood and that she left her car at a nearby park, the affidavit said. The juvenile said that the plan was to stay at Underwood's residence until a different location could be found, where they would stay until they turned 18.
Fix and Underwood were arrested on the scene and denied an interview. The affidavit added that while arresting Tucker, she said "I knew I should have called CPS like everyone else told me to."
In a release after the arrests, BCSO thanked detectives involved in the case.
"We are incredibly proud of our team of dedicated detectives who have worked tirelessly to bring [the missing teen] home safely. This outcome reflects the hard work and collaboration of multiple agencies, and we are grateful for their support," BCSO said.
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