Missing child found safe; two charged with endangering welfare

​A missing child report in Sharp County has ended with a safe recovery, but also led to two arrests.

According to a news release from the Sharp County Sheriff’s Office, a 4-year-old girl reported missing from a residence near Grange Road in Sharp County was found safe with family members on July 3.

The release said deputies responded to the report of a possible missing child and launched a coordinated search with the help of volunteer fire departments, first responders, the Arkansas State Police, the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, and the Arkansas Department of Corrections.

During the investigation, the release said, “Capt. G. Stewart, Lt. B. Trivitt, and Lt. Cham Buchanan obtained information from the child’s mother, Cierra Maple, suggesting she may have dropped the child off with relatives in Pfeiffer the night before.”

Cierra Maple

Sharp County Sheriff Shane Russell contacted Independence County Sheriff Shawn Stephens, whose deputies located the child with family members. Authorities confirmed she had been in their care since the evening of July 2.

Maple and the child’s stepfather, Zachary Roberts, were arrested and charged with endangering the welfare of a minor.

Zachary Roberts / Images: Sharp County Sheriff’s Office

“The safety and well-being of our citizens—especially our children—will always remain the highest priority for the Sharp County Sheriff’s Office,” Russell said in the release. “I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to all assisting agencies and community members who responded so quickly and effectively.”