Photos: Emma Kronk and Phillip Kronk
A Stone County couple has been arrested, after their non-verbal autistic child was found scantily clad and barefoot in the roadway early Sunday morning.
According to the probable cause affidavit, law enforcement personnel were alerted to the child’s whereabouts on Arkansas HIghway 14 East in the Marcella community shortly before 4 a.m. At the time, it was reportedly 21 degrees and snowing.
The deputy responding to the call had been in contact with the 13-year-old in the exact same situation on two other occasions in late 2021.
The deputy was also aware the child’s parents are 39-year-old Phillip Kronk and 35-year-old Emma Kronk. Emma Kronk has an outstanding warrant for endangering the welfare of a minor stemming from a similar incident last October when both parents were charged.
After the child was transported by ambulance to the Stone County Medical Center, deputies went to the Kronk’s home, about 1,000 feet from where the child had been found.
At the residence, they were greeted by two aggressive barking dogs chained on either side of the home, with the front door standing wide open.
Inside, the Kronks were found passed out on a mattress on the floor. Deputies detected a strong odor of alcohol and burned marijuana. Several empty vodka bottles were observed.
A confused Phillip Kronk reportedly awakened. When asked if he knew where his son was, he was said to have replied, “He did not know and that he must have ‘gotten out again.'”
The couple then reportedly began arguing, with Emma Kronk saying the situation was her husband’s fault because he had not purchased batteries for the alarm and had not installed locks.
The two were placed under arrest, with the report noting a small baggie of what was later identified as marijuana was on a countertop in the residence described as “very dirty and cluttered” with no running water.
The deputies also reported during the duration of the incident, “both parents seemed to show no remorse for the child and did not ask once if he was ok or where he was.”
They both reportedly admitted to using methamphetamine on occasion.
During the booking at the Stone County Detention Center, getting simple information proved problematic. Phillip Kronk said he could not remember how to spell his son’s name or the child’s date of birth.
Medical personnel at the emergency room reported the child appeared possibly malnourished. He was taken into the custody of the Arkansas Department of Human Services.
On Monday, investigators from multiple agencies returned to the residence, locating numerous items of drug paraphernalia, empty and partially-empty bottles of alcohol and numerous long knives. They also observed exposed electrical wiring throughout the residence.
The Kronks have been charged with endangering the welfare of an incompetent person in the first degree, possession of drug paraphernalia with the purpose to use meth and possession of marijuana.
Bonds were set at $10,000.
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