Sex offender held in rape of girl, attack on her mother

— Authorities have arrested a man on accusations he stabbed a woman and then raped her 12-year-old daughter Tuesday in Searcy.

The Searcy Police Department said Aaron Ray Rash, 29, was taken into custody by the White County sheriff's office about 4 p.m. Wednesday. Rash, a Level III registered sex offender, faces charges of rape and first-degree battery.

Brittany Eacret, spokesman for the Searcy Police Department, said the attack happened about 5:30 p.m. Tuesday at an apartment at 2001 Quality Drive.

Eacret said the mother was stabbed multiple times, including at least once in the neck, and was hospitalized with serious injuries.

Police say the mother was attempting to stop a man later identified by police as Rash from raping her 12-year-old daughter when he attacked her. He then raped the girl and fled on foot, police said.

Eacret said the mother had just met Rash, but that he had been invited into the residence before the attack occurred.

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