William R. Kennerly

     The Sheriff’s Office has arrested 32 year old WILLIAM R. KENNERLY of rural Mountain Home on felony charges following an investigation into an infant having been hospitalized after being exposed to methamphetamine.

     On or about November 26, 2017, a 10 month old female was taken to Baxter Regional Medical Center after it was observed that she was acting in an unusual manner.  Tests were conducted, and it was determined that the child had been exposed to methamphetamine.  The child was air lifted to Arkansas Childrens Hospital in Little Rock for emergency treatment.  Additional testing confirmed the presence of methamphetamine and amphetamine in the child’s body.

     Agents with the Arkansas Department of Human Services, Division of Children and Family Services, interviewed and drug tested the parents of the child and also interviewed other persons residing in the residence.  During these interviews, it was determined that WILLIAM R. KENNERLY had been snorting methamphetamine in a bathroom in the residence.  It is believed that he inadvertently dropped some of the methamphetamine on the floor.  It is believed that the child, while crawling around on the floor, found the methamphetamine and ingested it.

     WILLIAM KENNERLY was later interviewed by Sheriff’s Investigators.  He admitted that he had been crushing and snorting methamphetamine in the bathroom prior to the child becoming ill.  He also stated he was the only person in the household who was using methamphetamine. 

     A bench warrant was obtained for the arrest of WILLIAM KENNERLY.  He surrendered himself to the Detention Center on the evening of Friday, January 5th, where he was booked on charges of:

Endangering the Welfare of a Minor – Felony
 Administering a Controlled Substance to Another – Felony

     He posted $100,000 bond and was released from custody.  KENNERLY will appear in Baxter County Circuit Court on January 11th to answer the charges.

/s/ John F. Montgomery,
Baxter County Sheriff