Shocking bodycam footage shows the moment police tore into a closet and found a secret door – with a child trapped behind
The video shows Arkansas cops being led to the closet by a man wearing overalls.
He then enters the small room and retrieves the youngster after digging through some items to get to a secret door.
The youngster was unharmed in the incident and taken to the Department of Human Services. The following day Jon Thompson, 40, of Tontitown, Arkansas was arrested and faces a number of criminal charges.
“She was very emotional when she came out and pretty scared. He had instructed her not to make a sound or reveal she was back there.”
The 40-year-old now faces charges of interference with custody, first-degree false imprisonment, endangering the welfare of a minor and possession of body armour and drug paraphernalia, according to The Washington County Jail Intake.
Tontitown police were assisting DHS officials taking custody of the child when they attempted to make contact with Thompson, reported KNWA.
The man claimed a judge had granted him custody of the child, refused to open the front door and told police the five-year-old was not at the residence.
Eventually, Thompson admitted the child was in the home and took police to the closet where officers said they heard noises coming from.
The suspect moved some boxes to reveal a board that had been nailed into the wall. Behind the board was a small compartment with open insulation, photos show.
At the time of his arrest Thompson was free on bond for unrelated charges out of Benton County.
“He was on bond in connection for a methamphetamine charge from our neighbour city to the north,” Lindley said. He was booked at the Washington County Jail on Friday and was released on Monday when he posted a $5,000 bond.
Thompson’s next court date is scheduled for December 4.
