Benton family opens home, hearts to foster children
Libby and Eric Morris of Bryant have love to spare.
The Morrises are parents to eight children, two of whom are foster kids.
Over the past three years, the Morrises have fostered just over 20 children in their home.
“We feel like God has given us a lot. He’s really blessed us and we
should give back,” said
Libby.
Libby is a full-time mom who spends most of her days taking her kids to various appointments and making time to be a full-time medical student.
Her husband, Eric, is first and foremost a devoted dad, but for employment, he is the acting director of development at Dave & Buster’s.
May is Foster Care Month, which shines a light on the need for foster
parents and support for children in foster care. According to the
Arkansas House of Representatives, there are more than 4,600 children
in foster care in Arkansas alone.
Saline County, however, is one of the top counties for fostering. Eric and Libby’s children currently range between the ages of 3 and 17. The Morrises have fostered and cared for children for periods from a week up to officially adopting them. One of the many programs they have worked with is Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA), a group of volunteers who advocate for the best interests of children in foster care.
CASA is an organization of trained volunteers who represent the best interests of abused and neglected kids in foster care. CASA Saline County is only one of 24 CASA branches in the state and nearly 1,000 branches across the country. Their mission, according to Salinecounty.org., is to “represent the best interest of abused, neglected and dependent children in court while seeking a safe, permanent home as soon as possible.”
“They get to know the child in the home, the foster parents and the biological parents, and they advocate to the judge what they think is best for that child,” said Libby.
While foster care is meant to provide temporary care for these children until they can be reunited with their families
Office.
At the time, Thompson was free on a signature bond from District Court. A warrant was issued by Judge Brent Houston for his arrest. Thompson remained at large as of Friday afternoon.
On April 23, 2022, Officer Ryne Besancon was sitting on South Street when he noticed a gray Kia passenger car take a sudden left onto Lake Street, according to the release. It seemed to the officer that Thompson was trying to avoid him.
Besancon pulled Thompson over after Thompson failed twice to use his turn signal
in a correct manner. Thompson admitted to having alcohol and marijuana in his vehicle, according to the release, and once outside the vehicle, Thompson eventually told the officer that there was methamphetamine under the driver’s seat.
After finding over 8 grams of methamphetamine and two glass pipes, Besancon charged Thompson with possession of more than 2 grams of methamphetamine. Thompson was also charged as a habitual offender. He has prior convictions for sexual abuse, escape, failing to register as a sex offender and theft by receiving.
“Judge Houston allowed us to proceed with Thompson in abstentia,” said Prosecuting Attorney Chris Walton. “Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Rebecca Bush and I made the decision to continue because we felt the jury had a right to fulfill their duty even with Thompson voluntarily making the cowardly choice to not face the consequences of his actions.
“As soon as it was discovered that he had left the courthouse, the Benton Police Department, the Saline County Sheriff’s Office and the Office of Parole were notified.
“We urge anyone that has any knowledge of his potential whereabouts to notify their local law enforcement immediately,” Walton said.