No bond for Bella Vista couple accused in death of son

A Bella Vista couple will be held without bond in the Benton County Jail as suspects in the rape and death of their 6-year-old son.

Mauricio Alejandro Torres, 45, and Cathy Lynn Torres, 43, appeared in court Tuesday morning for a bond hearing. They were arrested Monday by Bella Vista police on charges of capital murder, rape and battery in the first degree. Prosecutors have not filed formal charges in the case.

At 11:33 p.m. on March 29, 2015, the Bella Vista Police Department was notified of a pediatric emergency, the news release states.

The boy was transported to a Mercy emergency room in Bella Vista by ambulance. He was pronounced dead at the emergency room.

An autopsy at the Arkansas Medical Examiner’s Office ruled the death a homicide.

Nathan Smith, Benton County’s prosecuting attorney, requested that the couple be held without bond due to the severity of the charges.

Jay Saxton, Benton County’s chief public defender, represented the couple at the bond hearing. Saxton said probable cause did exist to hold the couple on the charges.

Circuit Judge Brad Karren ordered that the pair be held without bond in the Benton County Jail.

Their arraignments will be at 8 a.m. May 18 in Circuit Judge Robin Green’s court.

Karren ordered the Torreses not to have any contact with their two daughters. The girls are in the custody of the Arkansas Department of Human Services.

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