An Arkansas father has been arrested on suspicion of fatally shooting a man who was found in a car with his missing 14-year-old daughter.
Aaron Spencer, 36, reported his daughter missing on Tuesday, and Lonoke County Sheriff's Office personnel were dispatched to the home.
However, on the way to the residence, deputies learned that Spencer had found her daughter in the car of Michael Fossler, 67. A confrontation ensued between the two before Spencer allegedly shot and killed Fossler.
Investigators arrested Spencer on preliminary charges of first-degree murder, a Class Y felony. He was booked into the Lonoke County Detention Center and released on bond the next day.
An Arkansas couple allegedly tried to sell the baby and beer for $1,000 after they couldn't take care of their baby and three dogs.
Aaron Spencer, 36, was arrested on preliminary suspicion of first-degree murder. (Lonoke County Detention Center)
Sheriff John Staley said in a Facebook video that Spencer has not yet been formally charged and that the district attorney's office will decide what charges to file.
“This is a tragic situation and my thoughts and prayers are with everyone involved,” Staley said.
Spencer's wife, Heather, said on Facebook that Fosler had a “no-contact order” with her 14-year-old daughter for stalking and raping her over the summer, and that she and her husband did not intend to kill her. He said he was afraid. She said she and her husband were unaware that Vossler had contact with the child again.
“We absolutely called 911 throughout the event,” she wrote. “We had no idea that this man was coming into contact with our child again. He was facing six to nine felonies for his actions, not two felonies. He spent the rest of his pathetic life in prison, and our daughter was the only witness.'' ”
“Some things we will never know, but we do know that the police gave this predator the privacy they did not give our family,” she continued. “Including posting my home address. I'm very angry at the county's response.” [sheriff’s] office. “
The woman added: “At the end of the day, our daughter is the victim and we all have a long road to recovery. We really appreciate all the calls, messages and prayers.”
Sheriff John Staley said Aaron Spencer has not yet been formally charged and the district attorney's office will decide what charges will be filed. (St. Petersburg)
Fossler was arrested by another law enforcement agency in July on charges of Internet stalking and sexual assault of a child, Staley said. america today.
“I definitely don't support predators,” he said. I'm a dad. “I have three daughters. I know she's hurting right now, but I would never put anyone before our children, their children, and my children. ”
The sheriff said officers are investigating what happened leading up to the shooting.
“When we arrive at the scene and a homicide has occurred, that means one person has taken the life of another,” Staley said. “Either it's justified or it's not. That's the fact finding and that's what the investigation will reveal.”
The child's mother had set up a GoFundMe to pay for her husband's legal costs, but GoFundMe canceled the fundraiser and returned the funds to donors. GoFundMe's terms of service prohibit fundraisers from raising money for the legal defense of anyone formally charged with a violent crime.
Because of this, women are now receiving money through Venmo and Cash App.
'Hamilton' former cast member missing, abandoned car found near national park
Aaron Spencer's wife, Heather, said Michael Fossler had a “no contact order” in place with his daughter. (Getty Images)
“My husband is a hero and I'm so grateful he's home right now,” the woman wrote in a Facebook post Thursday. “We want to do everything we can to make sure he stays here to protect us.”
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
She also thanked other victims who contacted her with claims that Vossler had attacked them.
“We continued to work with the children and obtained a clear picture of the predator who was preying on the young girl,” she wrote. “This man was a police chief and resource officer in the state of Indiana, so it's easy to see why the Lonoke County Courthouse protected him and went after my husband.”
This incident is still under investigation.
