Sheriff: Woman found dead on mountain, toddler run over

The identity and cause of death of a woman whose body was discovered Sunday on Sugarloaf Mountain was released Monday by the Sebastian County sheriff's office.

The body of Leanora Rippy, 23, of Boles was discovered Sunday after a passer-by found a 2-year-old boy covered in bruises and wandering on Sugarloaf Mountain Road and Observatory Road north of Hartford.

Aaron Cutsinger, 25, was arrested Sunday evening and charged with first-degree murder and aggravated assault. Sebastian County Sheriff Bill Hollenbeck said in a news release Cutsinger had been romantically involved at some point with Rippy.

Rippy's body has been sent to the state Crime Laboratory for an autopsy. Hollenbeck said she appeared to have been run over "back and forth" numerous times while holding the toddler.

Lt. Philip Pevehouse of the Sebastian County sheriff's office said Sunday that before Cutsinger's arrest, he had confessed to his involvement in Rippy's death and the assault of the child.

Metro on 09/22/2015

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