HOT SPRINGS -- A Fouke man was arrested Monday evening on felony charges stemming from allegations he shot a 4-year-old boy in the foot Saturday, rearranged the scene and left with the gun.
Noah Michael Veuthey, 18, was taken into custody just before 6:30 p.m. Monday and charged with second-degree battery and tampering with physical evidence, both felonies punishable by up to six years in prison.
Veuthey remained in custody Tuesday in lieu of $5,000 bond.
According to the probable cause affidavit, a 4-year-old boy was brought into the emergency room Saturday at CHI St. Vincent Hot Springs with a gunshot wound in his right foot.
Veuthey was reportedly interviewed Monday by Garland County sheriff's investigators and said the gun accidentally discharged after he leaned over a bed, according to the affidavit. The barrel was pressed against the mattress at the time and the boy, who was sleeping on the floor next to the bed, was struck in the foot by the bullet, the affidavit said.
Veuthey told investigators the gun was a .40-caliber Beretta, but before he left the residence with the firearm he placed a 9mm handgun on the bed and found a spent 9mm shell casing that he placed on the floor.
The affidavit did not indicate why Veuthey switched the guns.
State Desk on 10/19/2017