An Arkansas couple has been arrested following the tragic drowning death of their 2-year-old son. Authorities allege that the child was repeatedly thrown into a pool as part of an attempt to teach him to swim.
Annastacia Atkins, 24, and her husband Dakota Shawn Hays, 29, both from Van Buren, were taken into custody on January 13 and charged with first-degree murder related to their son’s death, which occurred in June 2024. Additionally, Atkins faces a charge of allowing abuse to a minor, while Hays is charged with endangering a child’s welfare.
The boy, who passed away on June 17, suffered from a lack of oxygen to the brain after being found unresponsive following a pool incident. An autopsy revealed that he had multiple injuries to his head, face, and torso, which appeared to have healed at various stages, suggesting ongoing trauma.
On June 14, deputies were called to the family’s home after Hays reported something being wrong with the child. According to the affidavit, when the boy was pulled from the pool, his body was cold, and he showed distressing signs, with his eyes not moving and his arms held rigidly in front of him.
Hays claimed he had been teaching the boy and two other children how to swim that day. After swimming and a family dinner, they returned to the pool while others got ready for bed.
Later, Hays reported to Atkins that their son was unwell. Atkins said that the boy’s heart and breathing had stopped and indicated that when she began performing chest compressions, he coughed up water.
During the investigation, Hays explained that the children would cling to him while he submerged himself and them underwater. The couple insisted that the injuries were accidental and attributed the boy’s symptoms to swimming. However, Atkins expressed concerns about Hays’s previous behavior towards their son.
Detectives learned through the investigation that the little boy had a history of injuries, and it was revealed that the other children present had also experienced abuse. A 4-year-old boy reported nearly drowning after being thrown into the pool by Hays. He also described being physically punished by both Hays and Atkins with a stick.
Meanwhile, a 6-year-old girl recalled witnessing Hays push the 2-year-old under the water repeatedly, stating that the child did not want to swim, but Hays forced him into the pool.
Hays is currently held in Crawford County Jail on a $1 million bond, while Atkins is held on a $750,000 bond. It is not clear if they have legal representation.
If you suspect child abuse, you can contact the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child (1-800-422-4453) for support. The hotline is available 24/7 and is confidential.
