Four Arrested In Ocean Springs Child Abuse Investigation Involving Children Ages 3, 4 And 6

OCEAN SPRINGS, Miss. — Four people have been arrested and charged following a child abuse investigation in Ocean Springs involving three young children, including a 3-year-old, according to the Ocean Springs Police Department.

Police Chief Steven Dye said investigators responded to a residence in the 100 block of Linda Circle around 9 a.m. Thursday.

Authorities say the investigation involves three children, ages 6, 4 and 3, who had previously lived at the residence.

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All three children are now in the custody of Child Protective Services.

Four People Arrested

Ocean Springs Police identified the four people arrested as 29-year-old Brandon Hinkle, 25-year-old Carlyn Hinkle, 23-year-old Hailey Prentice and 41-year-old Blake McCool.

Police say each of the four was charged with sexual battery of a child.

Brandon Hinkle and Carlyn Hinkle were also each charged with touching a child for lustful purposes.

Bond was set at $250,000 for each charge.

Because Brandon and Carlyn Hinkle each face two charges, the bond amounts apply separately to each individual charge.

Investigation Remains Active

Ocean Springs Police said the investigation remains active and ongoing.

Authorities have not publicly released additional details about the specific allegations, including which defendant is accused of what conduct beyond the charges announced by police.

Police also have not released information identifying the children or explaining their relationships to the four people arrested.

Officials said additional information is being withheld to protect both the integrity of the investigation and the privacy of the children involved.

Children Taken Into Protective Custody

One of the most significant details released by authorities is the age of the children involved.

Police say the investigation involves children who are just 6, 4 and 3 years old.

All three have since been placed in the custody of Child Protective Services.

Beyond confirming that the children previously lived at the Linda Circle residence, authorities have not disclosed additional details about their circumstances.

The Ocean Springs Police Department has also not announced whether investigators expect additional arrests or charges as the investigation continues.

The four people arrested are facing serious criminal allegations, but the charges remain allegations at this stage. Each defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.

The Rabbit Hole will continue following the investigation and provide updates if Ocean Springs Police release additional information.