Neighbor Arrested on Charges Connected to Child's Death
By: Cassidy Hodges
Updated: November 27, 2012
Zachary Holly, 28, was arrested Monday evening, 7 days after Police began the homicide investigation.
Holly is facing charges of capital murder, kidnapping and residential burglary.
Police said he was not related to Jersey but knew the family as an acquaintance. He lived at 702 SE A Street, next door to the home where the 6-year-old lived.
In a press conference, Police Chief Jon Simpson said Holly is currently in jail and awaiting a Wednesday bond hearing.
Police said no additional arrests are expected.
An affidavit for probable cause will be released on Wednesday. Police said much more information about the investigation will be revealed in this document.
Following the arrest announcement, the Jersey Dianne Bridgeman - Sharing Our Love Facebook page posted a statement from the child's mom, DeseRea:
"This is Jersey Bridgemans Mom, Thanks to the hard working detectives that put a lot of time and effort to catching the killer of my daughter. She will be in my thoughts, prayers, and memories always. My daughter is one of the lights in my life. Though her spirit may have passed and moved on her light will always burn brig
DesaRae"
Jersey Bridgeman's time of death ranges between midnight and the time of her discovery Tues morning before 7, according to police.
On Wednesday, the Bentonville Police Chief confirmed that the FBI had joined the investigation into the suspected killing. The department reached out to the federal agency with a formal request earlier in the morning.
Search warrants were executed on three homes on SE A St. Tuesday night.
Police said they took more than 50 pieces of evidence from those homes.
Funeral services are set for Wednesday at Rollins Funeral Home in Rogers.
Here's the full statement released by police Monday night:
"Tuesday morning, November 20th, 2012, at 6:43 AM the Bentonville Police Department received the report of a missing 6 year old female named Jersey Bridgeman. The child was reported to be missing from her home at 608 SE A Street and neighborhood search resulted in the discovery of the child's body within a vacant house at 704 SE A within minutes of the initial report.
"Monday evening, November 26th, 2012, after an extensive investigation, the Bentonville Police Department arrested Zachary Dewayne Holly, age 28, for Capital Murder, Kidnapping, and Residential Burglary. Holly resided next door to the victim (702 SE A Street) and was a non-family member and acquaintance of the victim's family.
"The family of Jersey Bridgeman has been notified of these developments. A Bond and Probable Cause Hearing for Zachary Holly will be held on Wednesday, November 28th, 2012, at 1:30 PM in front of the Honorable Judge Robin Green. An Affidavit of Probable Cause is currently being prepared and will be available for release after the Bond and Probable Cause Hearing.
"This investigation has been assisted by Rogers Police Department and the Benton County Sheriff's Office as well as numerous other local law enforcement agencies that comprise the Benton County Child Abduction Response Team (CART). The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Child Abduction Rapid Deployment (CARD) Team also assisted in the investigation. The Arkansas State Crime Lab was instrumental in the timely development of this case and the arrest.
"Holly is currently incarcerated in the Benton County Jail awaiting his Wednesday Bond and Probable Cause Hearing. Many questions related to this investigation and arrest will be answered by the Affidavit of Probable Cause which will be released on Wednesday. Funeral services for Jersey Bridgeman are scheduled for tomorrow. No additional arrests are expected and numerous aspects of this investigation are continuing."
