MELBOURNE — Izard County authorities were searching Friday for a Calico Rock woman wanted on a charges in the rape of a 12-year-old boy and sexual abuse of two other children.
Beth Dickerson, 31, is wanted on charges of rape, a felony; two counts of sexual indecency with a child, a felony; and sexual assault in the fourth degree, a misdemeanor in this case, according to the sheriff’s office.
Dickerson was charged in Izard County Circuit Court earlier this week after a month-long investigation, Sheriff Tate Lawrence said. Authorities began looking for her then, he said.
Authorities contend Dickerson aroused the 12-year-old boy, an acquaintance, and then had sexual intercourse with him. Dickerson also is accused of performing “deviate sexual acts” on two girls, ages 14 and 15, the sheriff ’s office said in a news release. They also were acquaintances, the sheriff said.
“Dickerson has a history of drug use and the investigation revealed that in addition to her criminal behavior that she likely had sex with several males between the ages” of 16 and 18, the release said. The legal age of sexual consent is 16.
Lawrence said in a brief interview that he believes Dickerson’s drug use has influenced her behavior.
Dickerson and her husband recently separated, and he quit his job that had taken him out of state to return to Arkansas and care for their children, the sheriff said.
Lawrence said he wasn’t sure if Dickerson is hiding from police.
She is under court order not to be in contact with the couple’s children, he said, adding that she tends to stay with friends in the Calico Rock, Dolph and Pineville areas but also may have left the county.
Bail has been set at $500,000.
Dickerson is white, stands 5 feet, 3 inches, weighs 130 pounds and has brown hair and green eyes.
Prosecuting Attorney Don McSpadden of the 16th Judicial Circuit did not have details on the case late Friday but said he doesn’t comment on pending cases anyway.
Anyone with information on Dickerson’s location is asked to call the sheriff ’s office at (870) 368-4203.