HELENA-WEST HELENA, Ark. — Police said a 15-year-old may be the victim of repeated rape and that her mother may have known and kept quiet.
Police found the pregnant teenager at a house where they were called for alleged gang activity.
Police arrested two people on gun and drug charges.
When officers served a search warrant at this home in the 800 block of York Street, that’s when they noticed poor living conditions at the home.
Police said criminals use the home as a safe haven to get away from officers. Helena-West Helena Police chief Virgil Green said what’s also disturbing is several children, including two infants, were living in the home.
“One of the juveniles was a 15-year-old who has already had two children, and she’s seven months pregnant,” said Chief Virgil Green.
Green said it’s likely the first child and the unborn one are results of sexual assaults.
Police said the teen’s mother eventually arrived once investigators came.
WREG spoke with the 15-year-old’s mother. In order to protect her child’s identity, we’re not going to name the victim’s mother.
“Only thing I know, she may of been around some teenage boys, that’s all I know.”
Police said there will be DNA testing to determine who’s the father of the children.
“It would be kind of hard not to know that your 15-year-old has already had two kids and she’s already pregnant with a third, it’s kind of hard to believe that the mother does not know what’s going on,” Green stated.
“I don’t know nothing about that,” said the mother.
Green said they will conduct follow-up interviews with the teen’s mother.
DHS is also assisting with this investigation. Police said the 15-year-old was not in school.
The children were placed in protective care.
