Topline: Court records show the mother had sought protection from her estranged husband, who pleaded guilty to domestic battery weeks before her death.
Published: December 7, 2025 2:01 pm ET
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Background: Charity Beallis and her two children (Family handout). Inset: Social media photo of Dr. Randall Beallis (via Mercy Rehabilitation Hospital Fort Smith / Facebook).
BONANZA, AR — Law enforcement in Sebastian County are working to piece together what happened inside a Bonanza home where, according to the Sebastian County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO), three people were found dead with gunshot wounds during a welfare check on the morning of Dec. 3.
The sheriff’s office said in its media release that deputies and Bonanza police first tried knocking with no response, and ultimately entered the residence on South 1st Avenue with help from two workers at the property. Inside, as the release stated, they discovered 40-year-old Charity Beallis and her two young children, all deceased.
Their bodies were sent to the Arkansas State Crime Lab as investigators executed search warrants and conducted interviews, with more expected as the case moves forward.
Family members, speaking to 5NEWS, identified the children as Charity’s 6-year-old twins.
Sebastian County Coroner Kenneth Hobbs confirmed to 5NEWS that he arrived at the scene around 10 a.m. but declined to discuss cause or manner of death during the ongoing investigation. The sheriff’s office told 5NEWS that, at this stage, they do not believe there is an active threat to the public.
The deaths came less than 24 hours after a final divorce hearing that 5NEWS confirmed was held Dec. 2 at the Sebastian County Courthouse.
According to court documents reviewed by the station, Charity filed for divorce on March 5, 2025—about two weeks after, as 5NEWS reported, her husband, Dr. Randall Beallis, was arrested for allegedly strangling her in front of their children at the same Bonanza residence.
Records cited by 5NEWS show that Randall was initially charged with aggravated assault on a family member, third-degree domestic battery, and two counts of third-degree endangering the welfare of a minor. The charges were later amended to just third-degree battery, to which he pleaded guilty on Oct. 9, receiving a one-year suspended imposition of sentence, fines, and a no-contact order.
The judgment, 5NEWS reported, showed that Charity approved that sentencing.
The divorce file, according to 5NEWS, included Charity’s request for full custody and her allegations that Randall faced domestic-violence charges.
A court order barred him from contacting Charity and the children except as permitted for visitation. Documents noted by the station say the couple shared property on South 1st Avenue, and that after Randall’s February arrest, Charity was the one listed as owning the home where she and the children lived.
On Dec. 4, one day after officials announced Charity’s death, Randall’s attorney filed a motion to dismiss the divorce case, according to 5NEWS.
KNWA also reported that Charity’s father, Randy Powell, believed Randall filed for dismissal so he could “get everything Charity would have gotten in the divorce.” Reached repeatedly by KNWA for comment through phone numbers associated with him, Randall did not answer. Charity’s father and adult son told KNWA they believed she had feared she would be killed.
“There was no doubt in Charity’s mind that her ex-husband was going to kill her,” Randy told the station, adding that he saw no one else who would have harmed her or the children. KNWA reported that he believed the motive was “financial gain and hatred.”
Earlier this year, according to 5NEWS, State Senator Terry Rice confirmed that Charity had met with him seeking help because she was fearful for her life and her children’s lives. He connected her with resources through the Arkansas State Police Crimes Against Children Division.
And in August, in a public comment on a 5NEWS Facebook post, Charity wrote, “I’m living this battle right now. I am the victim, yet I’ve been treated like the problem while the criminal — a local doctor — is being shielded by the very system that’s supposed to protect us,” adding that she believed “lives are at stake, including the lives of young children.”
Family members who spoke with 5NEWS described anguish and disbelief. Charity’s father said his grandchildren had been baptized just the day before they were killed.
“Two of them — six years old — that never done anything to anybody,” he said.
Her son John told the station that he had held the twins on the day they were born and had been helping raise them. Speaking to KNWA, he said his mother would have fought relentlessly to protect the children.
“My mother fought for nine months… to save her life and them babies, and nothing happened,” he said. “Now all three of them is dead.”
As investigators continue gathering information, the sheriff’s office said in its release that anyone with knowledge relevant to the case should contact them at 479-783-1051.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
If you are experiencing domestic abuse, you are not alone. Help is available. Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233 or text "START" to 88788 to connect with trained advocates 24/7. Support is free, confidential, and available in over 200 languages. You can also visit thehotline.org for more information and resources.
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Day After Divorce Hearing, Arkansas Woman and 2 Children Found Shot Dead
Court records show the mother had sought protection from her estranged husband, who pleaded guilty to domestic battery weeks before her death.
By Jacob Charles
Published: December 7, 2025 2:01 pm ET
Background: Charity Beallis and her two children (Family handout). Inset: Social media photo of Dr. Randall Beallis (via Mercy Rehabilitation Hospital Fort Smith / Facebook).
BONANZA, AR — Law enforcement in Sebastian County are working to piece together what happened inside a Bonanza home where, according to the Sebastian County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO), three people were found dead with gunshot wounds during a welfare check on the morning of Dec. 3.
The sheriff’s office said in its media release that deputies and Bonanza police first tried knocking with no response, and ultimately entered the residence on South 1st Avenue with help from two workers at the property. Inside, as the release stated, they discovered 40-year-old Charity Beallis and her two young children, all deceased.
Their bodies were sent to the Arkansas State Crime Lab as investigators executed search warrants and conducted interviews, with more expected as the case moves forward.
Family members, speaking to 5NEWS, identified the children as Charity’s 6-year-old twins.
Sebastian County Coroner Kenneth Hobbs confirmed to 5NEWS that he arrived at the scene around 10 a.m. but declined to discuss cause or manner of death during the ongoing investigation. The sheriff’s office told 5NEWS that, at this stage, they do not believe there is an active threat to the public.
The deaths came less than 24 hours after a final divorce hearing that 5NEWS confirmed was held Dec. 2 at the Sebastian County Courthouse.
According to court documents reviewed by the station, Charity filed for divorce on March 5, 2025—about two weeks after, as 5NEWS reported, her husband, Dr. Randall Beallis, was arrested for allegedly strangling her in front of their children at the same Bonanza residence.
Records cited by 5NEWS show that Randall was initially charged with aggravated assault on a family member, third-degree domestic battery, and two counts of third-degree endangering the welfare of a minor. The charges were later amended to just third-degree battery, to which he pleaded guilty on Oct. 9, receiving a one-year suspended imposition of sentence, fines, and a no-contact order.
The judgment, 5NEWS reported, showed that Charity approved that sentencing.
The divorce file, according to 5NEWS, included Charity’s request for full custody and her allegations that Randall faced domestic-violence charges.
A court order barred him from contacting Charity and the children except as permitted for visitation. Documents noted by the station say the couple shared property on South 1st Avenue, and that after Randall’s February arrest, Charity was the one listed as owning the home where she and the children lived.
On Dec. 4, one day after officials announced Charity’s death, Randall’s attorney filed a motion to dismiss the divorce case, according to 5NEWS.
KNWA also reported that Charity’s father, Randy Powell, believed Randall filed for dismissal so he could “get everything Charity would have gotten in the divorce.” Reached repeatedly by KNWA for comment through phone numbers associated with him, Randall did not answer. Charity’s father and adult son told KNWA they believed she had feared she would be killed.
“There was no doubt in Charity’s mind that her ex-husband was going to kill her,” Randy told the station, adding that he saw no one else who would have harmed her or the children. KNWA reported that he believed the motive was “financial gain and hatred.”
Earlier this year, according to 5NEWS, State Senator Terry Rice confirmed that Charity had met with him seeking help because she was fearful for her life and her children’s lives. He connected her with resources through the Arkansas State Police Crimes Against Children Division.
And in August, in a public comment on a 5NEWS Facebook post, Charity wrote, “I’m living this battle right now. I am the victim, yet I’ve been treated like the problem while the criminal — a local doctor — is being shielded by the very system that’s supposed to protect us,” adding that she believed “lives are at stake, including the lives of young children.”
Family members who spoke with 5NEWS described anguish and disbelief. Charity’s father said his grandchildren had been baptized just the day before they were killed.
“Two of them — six years old — that never done anything to anybody,” he said.
Her son John told the station that he had held the twins on the day they were born and had been helping raise them. Speaking to KNWA, he said his mother would have fought relentlessly to protect the children.
“My mother fought for nine months… to save her life and them babies, and nothing happened,” he said. “Now all three of them is dead.”
As investigators continue gathering information, the sheriff’s office said in its release that anyone with knowledge relevant to the case should contact them at 479-783-1051.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
If you are experiencing domestic abuse, you are not alone. Help is available. Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233 or text "START" to 88788 to connect with trained advocates 24/7. Support is free, confidential, and available in over 200 languages. You can also visit thehotline.org for more information and resources.
Must Read
Editor Picks
Latest Articles
Day After Divorce Hearing, Arkansas Woman and 2 Children Found Shot Dead
Court records show the mother had sought protection from her estranged husband, who pleaded guilty to domestic battery weeks before her death.
By Jacob Charles
Published: December 7, 2025 2:01 pm ET
Background: Charity Beallis and her two children (Family handout). Inset: Social media photo of Dr. Randall Beallis (via Mercy Rehabilitation Hospital Fort Smith / Facebook).
BONANZA, AR — Law enforcement in Sebastian County are working to piece together what happened inside a Bonanza home where, according to the Sebastian County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO), three people were found dead with gunshot wounds during a welfare check on the morning of Dec. 3.
The sheriff’s office said in its media release that deputies and Bonanza police first tried knocking with no response, and ultimately entered the residence on South 1st Avenue with help from two workers at the property. Inside, as the release stated, they discovered 40-year-old Charity Beallis and her two young children, all deceased.
Their bodies were sent to the Arkansas State Crime Lab as investigators executed search warrants and conducted interviews, with more expected as the case moves forward.
Family members, speaking to 5NEWS, identified the children as Charity’s 6-year-old twins.
Sebastian County Coroner Kenneth Hobbs confirmed to 5NEWS that he arrived at the scene around 10 a.m. but declined to discuss cause or manner of death during the ongoing investigation. The sheriff’s office told 5NEWS that, at this stage, they do not believe there is an active threat to the public.
The deaths came less than 24 hours after a final divorce hearing that 5NEWS confirmed was held Dec. 2 at the Sebastian County Courthouse.
According to court documents reviewed by the station, Charity filed for divorce on March 5, 2025—about two weeks after, as 5NEWS reported, her husband, Dr. Randall Beallis, was arrested for allegedly strangling her in front of their children at the same Bonanza residence.
Records cited by 5NEWS show that Randall was initially charged with aggravated assault on a family member, third-degree domestic battery, and two counts of third-degree endangering the welfare of a minor. The charges were later amended to just third-degree battery, to which he pleaded guilty on Oct. 9, receiving a one-year suspended imposition of sentence, fines, and a no-contact order.
The judgment, 5NEWS reported, showed that Charity approved that sentencing.
The divorce file, according to 5NEWS, included Charity’s request for full custody and her allegations that Randall faced domestic-violence charges.
A court order barred him from contacting Charity and the children except as permitted for visitation. Documents noted by the station say the couple shared property on South 1st Avenue, and that after Randall’s February arrest, Charity was the one listed as owning the home where she and the children lived.
On Dec. 4, one day after officials announced Charity’s death, Randall’s attorney filed a motion to dismiss the divorce case, according to 5NEWS.
KNWA also reported that Charity’s father, Randy Powell, believed Randall filed for dismissal so he could “get everything Charity would have gotten in the divorce.” Reached repeatedly by KNWA for comment through phone numbers associated with him, Randall did not answer. Charity’s father and adult son told KNWA they believed she had feared she would be killed.
“There was no doubt in Charity’s mind that her ex-husband was going to kill her,” Randy told the station, adding that he saw no one else who would have harmed her or the children. KNWA reported that he believed the motive was “financial gain and hatred.”
Earlier this year, according to 5NEWS, State Senator Terry Rice confirmed that Charity had met with him seeking help because she was fearful for her life and her children’s lives. He connected her with resources through the Arkansas State Police Crimes Against Children Division.
And in August, in a public comment on a 5NEWS Facebook post, Charity wrote, “I’m living this battle right now. I am the victim, yet I’ve been treated like the problem while the criminal — a local doctor — is being shielded by the very system that’s supposed to protect us,” adding that she believed “lives are at stake, including the lives of young children.”
Family members who spoke with 5NEWS described anguish and disbelief. Charity’s father said his grandchildren had been baptized just the day before they were killed.
“Two of them — six years old — that never done anything to anybody,” he said.
Her son John told the station that he had held the twins on the day they were born and had been helping raise them. Speaking to KNWA, he said his mother would have fought relentlessly to protect the children.
“My mother fought for nine months… to save her life and them babies, and nothing happened,” he said. “Now all three of them is dead.”
As investigators continue gathering information, the sheriff’s office said in its release that anyone with knowledge relevant to the case should contact them at 479-783-1051.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
If you are experiencing domestic abuse, you are not alone. Help is available. Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233 or text "START" to 88788 to connect with trained advocates 24/7. Support is free, confidential, and available in over 200 languages. You can also visit thehotline.org for more information and resources.
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