PRESCOTT – On Saturday, March 21st, 2026, at approximately 10:35 a.m., officers with the Prescott Police Department were dispatched to a residence in the 500 block of Martin Street in Prescott, AR, regarding a report of an unresponsive child.
Upon arrival, officers located an unresponsive two-year-old female outside the residence. The child was being held by her mother. The child’s father was also present at the scene.
Law enforcement officers and first responders immediately began life-saving measures. Despite those efforts, the child was pronounced deceased at approximately 11:00 a.m.
Prescott Police Department Detective Ashley Whittecar subsequently initiated an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the child’s death, based on suspected malnutrition. The investigation included assistance from the Nevada County Coroner, the Percy and Donna Malone Child Advocacy Center, the Department of Human Services in Arkansas and Texas, as well as the Arkansas State Police Crimes Against Children Division, and the 8th North Drug Task Force.
The Arkansas State Crime Laboratory, Office of the Medical Examiner, conducted an autopsy. The autopsy findings determined the cause of death to be malnutrition and dehydration, with nine (9) findings in support of the cause of death. The manner of death was determined to be homicide.
On September 1, 2026, Prescott Police Department Detective Ashley Whittecar and other Officers arrested Demarcus Duncan and Tamesiza Paxton for Capital Murder pursuant to arrest warrants issued by the Nevada County Circuit Court. Both individuals were taken into custody and are being held at the Nevada County Detention Facility pending their first court appearance.
The investigation remains ongoing. No further information regarding the circumstances of the child’s death will be released at this time as investigators continue to work with partner agencies and review evidence related to the case.
If you or anyone suspects there is a child or children that are being abused or neglected, please call the ARKANSAS CHILD ABUSE HOTLINE or let someone know who can help the child or family.
ARKANSAS CHILD ABUSE HOTLINE 1-800-482-5964 OR (844) SAVEACHILD