Weiner, AR — (Contributed) — March 14, 2025 — The Weiner Police Department, Poinsett County Sheriff’s Office, and Weiner Fire and Rescue were dispatched to a residence on South Street in Weiner following a report of a child found unresponsive on March 13 around 6:55 p.m.
Weiner First Responders arrived on the scene before law enforcement officers. Upon their arrival, it was confirmed that the child was deceased.
Deputies and officers began investigating the suspicious death immediately and contacted the Arkansas State Police for assistance. Special Agents from Company F arrived to aid in the investigation.
It was determined that the child’s mother, 30-year-old Sharece MonQue Scott of Weiner was not at the residence when emergency personnel arrived. During the investigation, Scott became a person of interest and, subsequently, a suspect.
Witnesses reported that Scott left the residence on a brown bicycle, heading north on State Highway 49 earlier that afternoon. Thanks to assistance from citizens and other law enforcement agencies, investigators located Scott at a motel in Jonesboro. She was taken into custody around 1:40 a.m. on March 14, and transported to the Poinsett County Detention Center.
A search warrant was executed at the property where the child was found. During the search, officers discovered and seized drugs, firearms, including one that was reported stolen, and a marijuana grow operation. Ridge Brandon Noel, 31, of Weiner was arrested at the residence and transported to the Poinsett County Detention Center.
The body of the child has been sent to the Arkansas State Crime Lab for the Medical Examiner to determine the cause and manner of death. Currently, Scott and Noel are charged with endangering the welfare of a minor in the first degree. Additional charges will be announced soon.
Deputies, officers, and investigators from the Poinsett County Sheriff’s Office, Weiner Police Department, Weiner Fire Department, Arkansas State Police, Arkansas Game and Fish, Jonesboro Police Department, and the Arkansas Department of Human Services assisted and continue to investigate the case.
More information will be released when it is available. Scott’s mugshot was not available at the time of publication.
