SPRINGDALE -- A former Springdale School District employee was arrested in connection with raping a 12-year-old Sonora Middle School student, according to records from the Benton County Sheriff's Office.
Dalton Ray Mize, 19, of Springdale was arrested Thursday in connection with rape and sexual indecency with a child, both felonies, according to the police records.
Mize was an hourly employee for the district and mowed district properties, according to Rick Schaeffer, district spokesman. Mize was fired April 19, Schaeffer said.
Mize told investigators he had sexual contact with the girl, but said "he messed up and it was a mistake."
Mize was being held Monday at the Benton County Jail on a partial bond of $100,000. He is scheduled to appear June 6 in Benton County Circuit Court. Bentonville District Judge Ray Bunch on Sunday ordered Mize not to have any contact with the girl.
Mize and the girl were dating since March and exchanged several text messages, according to the report. Both told investigators they texted photos of themselves.
Mize told the girl he loved her and asked her if she wanted children, according to text transcripts. He also advised her to delete all texts and phone calls between the two.
Phillip Group, Sonora's school resource officer, was notified April 19 the girl was dating a district employee, the report said. Group observed a video of Mize, who entered the school building and kissed and hugged the girl.
Group took the girl for a forensic interview at the Child Safety Center of Washington County, the report said.
Mize told police investigators he apologized to the girl's parents in a letter, and had no prior arrests or convictions, according to the report.
Lt. Derek Wright of the Springdale Police Department declined to comment about the investigation, but praised the cooperation between Springdale police and the School District.
"The great working relationship between the (Springdale) department and the School District led to an effective and swift resolution to this issue," he said.
NW News on 04/26/2016