BENTONVILLE — A Bella Vista man was arrested Friday in connection with raping a 6-year-old girl.
Eric Cameron Francis, 38, was being held in the Benton County Jail on a $50,000 bond in connection with the Class Y felony. Prosecutors haven't filed a formal charge against Francis.
Arkansas State Police began to investigate the case after receiving a report concerning the sexual abuse of the girl.
The girl was interviewed at the Children's Advocacy Center of Benton County where she said Francis inappropriately touched her, according to a probable cause affidavit.
Francis was interviewed by police and admitted to inappropriately touching the girl, according to court documents. Francis claimed the touching began with him rubbing the girl's back. That led to the inappropriate touching, which Francis said the girl asked for, according to the probable cause affidavit.
Francis said he later became sick and threw up because he knew his actions were wrong.
Arraignment is set for 8 a.m. May 12 in Circuit Judge Brad Karren's court.
NW News on 04/09/2014