Fayetteville dad pleads innocent to battery after baby’s death

FAYETTEVILLE — A man who police and prosecutors say beat his infant son, who later died, pleaded innocent to first-degree domestic battery Wednesday in Washington County Circuit Court.

Benjamin Vinson, 43, of 6964 Davis Road in Fayetteville, was arrested Feb. 14 by the sheriff’s office in connection with first-degree domestic battery involving a victim under 4 years of age.

Vinson was given a Sept. 20 court date Wednesday before Circuit Judge Mark Lindsay. He is being held at the Washington County jail in lieu of $150,000 bond.

Vinson caused serious physical injury to his infant son when he repeatedly struck the child with his fist, according to court documents.

Denis Dean, deputy prosecutor, said earlier police have home security video and audio of an upset Vinson repeatedly striking the 2-month-old baby in the late morning hours of Feb. 8 at a home west of Fayetteville.

Vinson then apparently went to sleep and awoke to find the baby dead, Dean said.

He is listed in jail booking records as being 6 feet, 4 inches tall and weighing 196 pounds.

Prosecuting Attorney Matt Durrett said the charges against Vinson could be upgraded.

The baby’s body was sent to the Arkansas State Crime Laboratory for autopsy to determine the cause and manner of death before deciding whether further charges are warranted. It can take a month or more to get results, Dean said.

“We’ll reevaluate after we hear from the Crime Lab,” Durrett said.

Vinson was arrested on the battery charge to ensure he did not leave the area, Dean said. The family was transient and had been “couch surfing,” around the area, he said.