Arkansas Mom and Twins Found Dead After Divorce Hearing

The quiet community of Bonanza, Arkansas, was shaken to its core in early December when Charity Beallis, 40, and her two young children were reportedly found shot to death in their home. The tragedy unfolded just one day after Charity and her estranged husband, Dr. Randall Beallis, attended their final divorce hearing. This heartbreaking event raises chilling questions about whether the devastating outcome could have been prevented, especially given the history of domestic violence and legal interventions preceding the murders.

A Tragic Discovery

On the morning of December 3, 2025, deputies from the Sebastian County Sheriff’s Office responded to a welfare check at a stately residence in Bonanza. Initially, no one answered the door, but two workers on the property eventually allowed law enforcement inside. There, they reportedly discovered the bodies of Charity Beallis and her two children, all suffering from gunshot wounds. The children, believed to be about 6 years old and born in 2019, were not immediately identified.

The sheriff’s office confirmed that autopsies were underway to determine the official causes of death, as reported by PEOPLE. As the investigation progressed, search warrants were executed, and interviews conducted, but no arrests had been made at the time of reporting.

A History of Domestic Violence

The tragedy is made all the more harrowing by the couple’s recent history. Charity had filed for divorce from Dr. Randall Beallis on March 5, 2025, less than a month after he was arrested for allegedly strangling her in front of their children at their home, as reported by CBS News 5 Online. The charges initially included aggravated assault on a family member, third-degree domestic battery, and two counts of endangering the welfare of a minor.

In October 2025, Randall reportedly pleaded guilty to third-degree battery and received a one-year suspended sentence, along with fines. A no-contact order was issued, barring him from contacting Charity or their children unless authorized by a valid court order. Despite these legal measures, the couple’s final divorce hearing took place on December 2, just one day before the fatal shootings.

The Final Hearing and Aftermath

The final divorce hearing was reportedly held at the Sebastian County Courthouse in Fort Smith. While court records confirm the hearing occurred, the outcome remains unclear, as no documents referencing the hearing’s resolution were publicly available. The day after the hearing, Randall’s attorney filed a motion to dismiss the divorce case, citing Charity’s death.

Charity had reportedly been fighting for full custody of the twins, motivated by the history of domestic violence and the protective order against Randall. Her father, Randy Powell, expressed profound grief and frustration, believing that the system failed to protect his daughter and grandchildren. According to CrimeOnline.com, he suspects that Randall’s motive for the killings was financial gain, as the dismissal of the divorce case could result in Randall inheriting all that Charity had won in the proceedings.

A Cry for Help Ignored

Earlier in 2025, Charity reached out to State Senator Terry Rice, expressing fear for her life and the safety of her children, according to CBS 5 News Online. Senator Rice reportedly connected her with resources through the Arkansas State Police Crimes Against Children Division. Despite these efforts, Charity publicly lamented the lack of support from the prosecuting attorney and the justice system, feeling that victims like her were being sidelined while offenders were shielded. In a comment on an unrelated 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 … This is not just about me - this is about a system that protects offenders and rejects victims. Lives are at stake, including the lives of young children.”

Her oldest son, John Powell, echoed this sentiment, stating that his mother fought tirelessly for nine months to protect herself and her children, but ultimately, nothing prevented the tragedy. “Now all three of them [are] dead,” he told KNWA FOX24, as reported by PEOPLE. The family’s pain is palpable, as they grapple with the loss and the haunting question of what more could have been done.

Moving Forward

As the investigation continues, the community mourns the loss of Charity Beallis and her children. The case remains open, with law enforcement actively pursuing leads. Meanwhile, the family’s call for transparency and accountability resonates beyond Bonanza, urging a closer look at how domestic violence cases are handled and how tragedies like this might be averted in the future.

References: Ark. Mom Attended Final Divorce Hearing with Husband. The Next Day, She and Her 2 Kids Were Found Slain | Arkansas woman found dead with 2 children had divorce hearing day before they were found | 5newsonline.com | Arkansas Mother, Twin Children Found Dead a Day After Divorce from Violent Ex - Crime Online