Letter/Press Release from Russellville Police
On July 15, 2025, the Russellville Police Department was notified of a 7-year-old boy is in critical condition at Children's Hospital in Little Rock after being brought to Dardanelle Regional Medical Center by his parents early Tuesday morning.
Medical staff described the child as pale, limp, and extremely underweight at just 28 pounds. Doctors called this critical condition a "near fatality" due to years of severe, prolonged malnutrition.
A search of the Freeman residence in the 800 block of Sandstone Circle revealed living conditions described as "unfit for children". Investigators discovered within the clutter home a closet converted into a makeshift room where the child was confined for extended periods, often bound by rope. The closet showed signs of frequent use, including urine and feces on the floor and worn-down walls and door hardware. The home, while cluttered, had plenty of food and several thousand dollars in cash. Reports from other juveniles in the home described the use of ropes to restrain not only the 7-year-old but also a 5-year-old sibling as punishment.
Both parents, Chris and Katelyn Freeman, admitted to locking the child in the closet and failing to seek medical assistance for fear of repercussions and embarrassment. Authorities have described the abuse as a case of "physical and mental torture."
Letter/Press Release From Russellville PD
Chris and Katelyn Freeman, were arrested and charged by Russellville Police for Battery 1st Degree and Endangering the Welfare of a Minor in the First Degree and were booked into the Pope County Detention Center. This investigation is still in its early stages, and more criminal charges or enhancement of charges is possible as this investigation continues and more information becomes available.
Russellville Police Chief David Ewing Statement:
"Even though the details of this case are horrific and disturbing, I am extremely proud of the perseverance and professionalism displayed by the officers and detectives of the Russellville Police Department who worked diligently to bring these individuals to justice.
I want to extend my appreciation to the Special Agents of the Arkansas State Police, Arkansas State Troopers, the Crimes Against Children investigators, the 5th Judicial Prosecutor's Office, and the advocates at the River Valley Child Advocacy Center whose collaborative efforts were of great assistance to this investigation.
At the time of this press release, the victim remains hospitalized in critical condition at Arkansas Children's Hospital. The two siblings to the victim are currently in the custody of the Department of Human Services."
This is still an active and ongoing investigation and more information will be released as it becomes available. If anyone has any information related to this incident, contact the Russellville Police Department at 479-968-3232 or the Pope County 911 Communications Center at 479-968-0911.
Pic of Chris Freeman
Disgusting abusive father wearing a stretched out green t-shirt with brown hair and beard
Pic of Katelyn Freeman
Disgusting abusive mother wearing a yellow shirt with long brown hair
This case is so infuriating. The mother wouldn’t help her own child because she cared more about her husband, her own words. Their charges for this are minor 😡 because their child is still alive.
•BATTERY 1ST
•ENDANGERING WELFARE OF MINOR-1st DEGREE
#Arkansas #PopeCounty #Russelville