On November 3, 2023, Tontitown Police Department officers in Arkansas rescued a five-year-old girl hidden in a secret compartment within a closet in the residence of John Thompson, identified as the girl’s father.

Bodycam footage from the police officers, now publicly available, documented the rescue and the harsh conditions the child faced. Thompson, the homeowner, is facing charges that include child endangerment and violation of custody orders.

The girl was found during a search warrant execution at Thompson’s home, as part of a joint operation between the police and the Arkansas Department of Human Services. The aim was to enforce a court order for the child’s custody. Thompson, 40, initially denied the girl’s presence.

The breakthrough came after extended questioning by officers. Thompson led them to the hidden area after sounds were detected behind the closet wall. He moved boxes and uncovered a boarded-up space, where the girl was found in a cramped, sealed compartment. Police say it was a triangular-shaped space, 6-8 feet wide and tapering to 2-4 feet.

The child, though physically unharmed, was visibly distressed. She was immediately taken into protective custody. The exact details of her confinement and the duration of her stay in the compartment are yet to be determined.

Thompson had concealed his daughter to avoid her removal by social services. He now faces charges including first-degree child endangerment and interference with custody orders, pleading not guilty.

The case is ongoing, with further developments expected in the legal process. This incident has drawn widespread attention, underlining the importance of law enforcement and child protective services. The coordinated response by the Tontitown Police and the Department of Human Services was pivotal in rescuing the child.

Detective Keith Lindley noted that Thompson was already out on bond for a methamphetamine charge at the time of his arrest.