This story was updated on March 11, 2024, to include the name of the female suspect who had not been charged at the time of the original post.

A cell phone video of a 2-year-old holding a bong recently landed an Arkadelphia man and woman behind bars.

Sim Michael Flora, 45, and Sarah Beth Roper, 34, face felony charges of endangering the welfare of a minor. Law enforcement officers say Flora had made a request to move in with Roper. Flora was serving an 18-month probation sentence from an October 2022 drug possession conviction in Craighead County (Jonesboro) and therefore was required to report any address change to his probation officer.

The probation officer was given consent to search Flora’s phone and discovered a video of a 2-year-old holding a bong. Probation officers found “multiple” items of drug paraphernalia during a home visit with Flora that same day, a probable cause affidavit filed with the prosecutor’s office states.

The Arkansas State Police Crimes Against Children Division launched an investigation into the matter once the probation officer reported to the agency’s hotline.

The affidavit notes that the followup visit by state police turned up “multiple bongs and a small amount of what appeared to be an illegal substance, later determined by testing to be methamphetamine.” The affidavit also notes that the paraphernalia was within “easy access” for the minor. An officer also located a sex toy, reportedly belonging to Roper, in the toddler’s car seat.

Flora and Roper were taken into custody on Jan. 30 and booked at the Clark County Detention Center, initially for continued detention. Bond for both was set at $2,500. Arraignment was scheduled for March 12.

9E Deputy Prosecutor Gina White filed formal charges this week in Clark County Circuit Court, charging Flora and Roper with a Class D felony punishable by up to 12 years in prison. The prosecutor’s office is seeking a sentence enhancement for Flora given his status as an habitual offender.