MELBOURNE -- A Calico Rock woman wanted on charges in the rape of a 12-year-old boy and sexual abuse of two other children was arrested, Izard County Sheriff Tate Lawrence said Tuesday.
Police had been searching for Beth Dickerson, 31, since late last month after she was charged with rape, a felony; two counts of sexual indecency with a child, a felony; and sexual assault in the fourth degree, a misdemeanor, according to the sheriff's office.
About 4 p.m. Monday, Dickerson was arrested at a home in Baxter County. Izard County authorities drove there and took her back to Izard County, where she was being held Tuesday with her bail set at $500,000, Lawrence said.
"We suspect that she had been hiding out for the past three weeks or so," Lawrence said.
The sheriff said his office did not have details about the arrest from Baxter County authorities yet, but he said he thought the arrest was in response to a tip from "an informant."
Dickerson is expected to enter a plea in circuit court Nov. 13, Lawrence said.
Authorities contend Dickerson had sexual intercourse with the 12-year-old boy, an acquaintance. Dickerson also is accused of performing "deviate sexual acts" on two girls, ages 14 and 15, who also were acquaintances, the Izard County sheriff's office said previously.
The legal age of sexual consent is 16.
State Desk on 10/16/2014