Police in Arkansas say they have made an arrest in the slaying of a 6-year-old girl whose body was discovered two days before Thanksgiving in an abandoned house only two doors from where she was living.
According to KHBS-KHOG-TV , Zachary Holly, 28, of Bentonville, was arrested Monday and charged with capital murder, kidnapping and residential burglary.
Bentonville Police Chief Jon Simpson said Holly lived near the vacant house where Jersey Bridgeman was found last week less than 30 minutes after she was reported missing.
“Obviously this has been a very intense week for us at the police department as well as the city of Bentonville,” Chief Simpson said. “That said, I’m sure it’s been a very difficult week for the family members of Jersey Bridgeman.”
Holly, a neighbor and acquaintance to the Bridgeman family, is currently being held at the Benton County Jail.
ABC News reports he is slated to appear in court for a bail and probable cause hearing on November 28.
Jersey’s death came about a year after abuse allegations were leveled against her father and stepmother, who chained the then 5-year-old to a dresser in their home in Rogers, Arkansas.
At the time, Jersey’s father, David Bridgeman, claimed he restrained his daughter to prevent her from getting into medication and other things around the house.
Jersey’s parents eventually pleaded guilty to false imprisonment, permitting abuse of a minor and endangering the welfare of a minor.
David was sentenced to 18 years in prison, while Jersey’s step-mom, Jana, was sentenced to 15 years behind bars.
5 News Online has more on Zachary Holly’s arrest in connection with the murder investigation of Jersey Bridgeman in the video below:
