On the morning of November 20 at approximately 8:58 a.m., deputies from the Cleburne County Sheriff Department rushed to the scene of a camper fire located on Houston Road in Tumbling Shoals. Upon their arrival, the camper was engulfed in flames, and a distressed woman at the scene urgently informed them that her baby remained inside. Despite attempts to access the camper for a rescue operation, these efforts proved unsuccessful. The unfortunate incident led to the child’s body being sent to the Arkansas State Crime Lab for further analysis.
Subsequently, Cleburne County Detectives initiated an inquiry into the tragic event involving the child’s death and the camper fire. As the investigation unfolded, probable cause emerged, leading to the issuance of an arrest warrant. On December 19, 2023, Diana Welch, a 34-year-old resident of Tumbling Shoals, was apprehended on one count of first-degree endangerment of the welfare of a minor, classified as a Class D felony. She was then transported to the Cleburne County Jail with a set bond of $300,000.
The investigation remains ongoing, and it is imperative to note that all suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
