FAYETTEVILLE — Bond was set at $250,000 Sunday for a man police said kidnapped and sexually assaulted a 3-year-old girl at a Fayetteville Walmart on Saturday.
Brandon Wayne Hutson, 25, of 300 Fink Drive Apt. C in Springdale, a registered sex offender, was in the Washington County Detention Center on Sunday in connection with rape and kidnapping.
The child’s mother reported the assault to Fayetteville police about 5 p.m., according to a preliminary arrest report. The woman said she lost track of her child while shopping in the toy section of Walmart, 3919 North Mall Ave. She said her 5-year-old son told her a man had taken his sister.
Within 10 minutes, the woman said her daughter ran back and found her. The little girl reportedly said a man carried her into a bathroom and raped her.
Hutson left the Fayetteville Walmart, returned to Springdale and later went to the Springdale Walmart.
Employees at the Springdale Walmart called police after becoming suspicious of Hutson’s actions, according to a police report.
Hutson told Springdale police he ran into a 10-year-old girl at the Springdale store who had lost her mother. He said he tried to follow her through the store, but lost track of her. He questioned employees at the store about her whereabouts, at which point they called police.
Hutson was arrested at the scene and transported to the Fayetteville Police Department.
Hutson is scheduled for an appearance in Washington County Circuit Court this morning.
Kate Ward contributed to this report.