A Bella Vista man was arrested Friday in connection with raping a 6-year-old girl.
Eric Cameron Francis, 38, was being held Tuesday in the Benton County Jail with a $50,000 bond set. Francis was being held in connection with rape, a Class Y felony.
The Arkansas State Police began investigating the case after receiving a report concerning the sexual abuse of the girl.
According to a probable cause affidavit, the girl was interviewed at the Children’s Advocacy Center of Benton County where she reported that Francis had inappropriately touched her and she said the touches were to help her sleep.
Francis was interviewed by police and he admitted to inappropriately touching the girl, according to court documents. Francis claimed that the touching began with him rubbing the girl back which led to the inappropriate touching in which Francis said the 6-year-old asked for, according to the probable cause affidavit.
According to court documents, Francis said after he was sick and went into the bathroom and threw up because he knew his actions were wrong.
Prosecutors have not filed a formal charge against Francis.
Francis’s arraignment is set for 8 a.m. May 12 in Circuit Judge Brad Karren’s court.