A Pea Ridge man is facing a child abuse or neglect charge after he and his five year-old daughter were found camped out under a bridge in rising creek water on a cold rainy night last week at Dry Creek and Pea Ridge Road.

Nicholas Ray Reeder, 34, of Pea Ridge Road, Smithville is under a $5,000 bond and his court date is May 6.

Sheriff Patrick Ray said that on Thursday, March 18 Reeder knowingly endangered the life and physical wellbeing of his child by driving his Nissan Rogue off the roadway at Dry Creek and Pea Ridge Road into a creek bed where it got stuck during heavy rain and creek flooding.

According to Sheriff Ray and the deputy who was called to the scene, a passerby spotted Reeder’s Nissan Rogue under the bridge in the creek between 1 and 2 a.m. on Thursday March 18. No one was in the vehicle but Reeder and the child were outside under the bridge.

Although Reeder has a home nearby where he and his daughter reside, Reeder told the officer that he arrived at the bridge with the child earlier in the day with the intention of staying the night even though it was cold and raining and the creek waters were rising. After setting up camp under the bridge, Reeder and the child left to get some groceries and other supplies but returned later to the creek where Reeder’s Nissan Rogue got stuck.

Due to the rising creek water and safety hazards, the deputy told Reeder that he and the child would have to leave. Although he was initially reluctant to go and vowed to return to the bridge later, Reeder allowed the officer to transport him and the child back to their home.

Reeder was later arrested and the Department of Children Services was notified. The child is now in the care of a family member.