A man arrested Monday on drug and fleeing charges lied to police about his 5-year-old son being left alone in a North Little Rock park, touching off a search for the boy who was never really missing, authorities said.
Elliott Hudgins, 33, was taken into custody about 11:15 a.m. after running from officers who were searching for a homicide suspect in the 1100 block of Vestal Street, according to a North Little Rock Police Department report. Authorities say baggies of marijuana and cocaine were found in Hudgins' pants pockets.
According to a separate arrest report, Hudgins later told investigators at the police station that he had left his 5-year-old son alone at a park at 13th and Park streets.
Numerous police cars responded to that area and began searching for the boy. Meanwhile, Hudgins' story started to change: Police say he then told them the boy had been left with a person who was putting his hair in braids and he didn't know where they went.
The search was called off when police located the boy's mother, who told them the child had been picked up for daycare that morning. Police then verified that the boy was at the facility.
Hudgins was charged with communicating a false alarm in addition to possession of cocaine, possession of marijuana, resisting arrest and fleeing. An initial court appearance is scheduled Tuesday morning.
