The Prentiss County Sheriff’s Department announced that on April 12, 2026, they received information about a missing endangered female juvenile from Selmer, Tennessee. Deputies responded to a residence on County Road 3020 and located the juvenile and a male suspect.
After further investigation, the juvenile was safely returned to her mother. Authorities arrested Payton Heath Allen Bowen, 18, of Booneville, and charged him with statutory rape and sexual battery, according to the sheriff’s office.
Bishop set Bowen’s bond at $50,000, cash or professional bond only. The case will be presented to the next Prentiss County grand jury by Investigator Torie Jumper. Investigator Aaron Stolz assisted in the investigation. Additional charges may be filed in Tennessee against Bowen, authorities said.
