In 6-year-old’s death, neighbor is charged

— Bentonville police arrested Zachary Holly, 28, Monday night in connection with the death of 6-year-old Jersey Bridgeman.

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Holly lives in a mobile home next door to Jersey and her mother, DesaRae Bridgeman, on Southeast A Street in Bentonville.

Holly is being held in the Benton County jail on charges of capital murder, kidnapping and residential burglary, according to a police news release. Chief Jon Simpson said no further arrests are expected.

Simpson said Holly was an acquaintance of the victim’s family.

DesaRae Bridgeman and Holly’s wife are friends on Facebook.

Jersey’s family was notified of the arrest before a news conference was held at 8:30 p.m. Monday, Simpson said.

“It’s been an intense week for us at the Police Department and in the city of Bentonville,” said Simpson, who did not take questions at the news conference.

Jersey was reported missing from her home at 608 SE A St. at 6:43 a.m. Nov. 20. Her body was found just minutes later two houses south in a vacant home at 704 SE A St. Holly lives between the two homes, at 702 SE A St.

Holly was seen wandering around the crime scene in pajamas and a robe as police searched his home the day Jersey’s body was found, police said.

Police searched Holly’s home, the Bridgemans’ home and the vacant house in which Jersey was found. Officers submitted more than 50 items of evidence to the state Crime Laboratory on Wednesday. Simpson said the Crime Lab was “instrumental” in helping develop the case and arrest.

Kermit Channell, executive director of the Crime Lab, said Monday that his office is still processing evidence sent last week by police.

A bond and probable cause hearing for Holly is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Wednesday before Circuit Judge Robin Green. A probable cause affidavit will be released after the hearing, Simpson said.

Jersey was found Dec. 2, 2011, chained to a dresser in her Rogers home, according to court documents. At the time, she lived with her father and stepmother, David Bridgeman and Jana Slinkard, who are serving prison sentences for felony charges related to the incident.

Arkansas, Pages 11 on 11/27/2012

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