Man facing charges in death of 8-month-old in Sevier County

SEVIER COUNTY, Ark. (KSLA) - The Sevier County Sheriff’s Office says a man is facing charges after the death of 8-month-old baby.

On Feb. 5, the sheriff’s office was notified about an unresponsive 8-month-old baby in Lockesburg. The baby was taken to the Sevier County Medical Center, where she was later pronounced dead.

Investigators responded to the hospital. The baby’s body was taken to the Arkansas State Crime Lab for an autopsy.

Investigators were later notified the baby’s death was being classified as a homicide.

During the investigation, officials were able to identify Edward Scott Jr., 31, as a suspect. On Feb. 12, he was arrested and booked into the Sevier County Jail on a charge of first-degree murder.

This baby’s death marks the third killing of a young child in Sevier County in about a year.

In January of 2025, 6-year-old Luxton Perez was killed in De Queen, reportedly by his stepfather.

And in March of 2025, 2-year-old Ava Ann Marie Tabor was reportedly beaten to death by 19-year-old Wesley Davis, also in Lockesburg.

Counseling was provided to first responders in Sevier County who dealt with the deaths of Perez and Tabor.