A central Arkansas man suspected of drug use was arrested on child endangerment charges after leaving seven children behind as he fled officers, police said.
Around 9:25 p.m. Saturday, an officer was called to an address on South Spring Street in reference to a disturbance, according to a Jacksonville Police Department report.
Resident Gregory Patterson — who officers said had a “very strong odor of burned marijuana” and was seen smoking inside the home — told police that he had been threatened with a gun.
Authorities say Patterson, 24, then tried to flee, leaving seven minors at the residence.
Patterson was arrested around 10:30 pm. on one count each of possession of a controlled substance, drug paraphernalia and fleeing. He also faces seven counts of second-degree endangering the welfare of a minor, records show.
According to an online inmate roster, Patterson remained at the Pulaski County jail as of Monday morning, and bail was set at $10,000. He has a court appearance scheduled for April 26.
