Legislator Involved In Re-Homing Controversy Won’t Run For Re-Election

Beth Hunt with our content partner, KATV Ch. 7 News, reports:

Rep. Justin Harris, R-West Fork, will not seek re-election for another term in the Arkansas legislature.

You may remember Harris was at the center of an adoption re-homing controversy in March. He said he gave his adopted daughters to a man who later admitted to sexually assaulting one of the girls. Harris said he perceived the girls as a threat to his biological children.

He said he will finish out his current term and doesn’t plan to resign.

Rep. Harris’ attorney, through the Wells Law Firm, released this statement:

Representative Justin Harris will not seek re-election for another term in the Arkansas Legislature. Representative Harris thanks his constituents for the opportunity to serve them for the past three terms. He also thanks his family, especially his wife, Marsha, for all of their sacrifices. Representative Harris looks forward to spending time with his family and completing his advanced degree after the fiscal session.

Justin and Marsha Harris are also pleased to confirm that the Crimes Against Children Division of the Arkansas State Police and DHS recently concluded a second investigation finding all allegations to be unsubstantiated. This investigation – which the Arkansas Times reported in a May 28, 2015 cover story – included claims that the Harris’s former adopted daughters were subjected to “exorcisms,” were locked in their rooms for lengthy periods, and were not given toys to play with. In crafting the story, this Times article cited a teenager’s brief tenure as a babysitter to the Harris family and several anonymous sources. The Harrises regret that these new false allegations required state investigators to re-interview the girls.

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